Media man no longer
By MICHELLE LOTTER - North Shore Times
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From TV reporter to vicar - Jayson Rhodes' career has taken a u-turn.
The former TV3 journalist and Waitemata police media minder has been known for his hard-nosed attitude.
But dressed in his dog collar and with a bubbly new demeanour, it appears the new reverend of St Peter's Church in Takapuna is a completely changed man.
"I'm still who I am. I'm just as happy going to a club as anyone else, I'm still going to stay out as late as anyone else but the church has expectations."
But those expectations are not all hard and fast. For a start he has not sworn to celibacy, and can he drink? "Heck yeah," he says.
"You've got to live a life that shows that you believe.
"If you have a funeral or a baptism, it's equally important what happens after that. You sit around with them and have a wine and talk about what's happened. It's just as important to connect."
But he has to watch his p's and q's around congregation members and the politeness is reciprocated by his mates, who weren't all prepared for his dramatic lifestyle change.
"It's also just as surprising to me. It's scary putting one of these on," he says, pointing to his collar. "Everyone looks, it gives you more opportunities to smile and laugh. I was very self conscious at first about putting this on."
It was while working as communications adviser at North Shore police for three years that he became interested "in this priest thing".
"There was nothing to say I heard God's voice, it's just this growing thing."
He studied at the University of Auckland's School of Theology, where he gained a bachelor in theology and first class honours.
"I haven't changed as a person but I've changed in the perspective that I'm the happiest I've ever been."
Though he doesn't mention this to friends, his induction into the priesthood has seen him doing things like singing and dancing with preschool children at the church's Mainly Music group.
"I take things lightly and have fun with this but you've got to take things seriously as well."
And his new life is not much different from his old one.
"In media and the police and in the church it's always people - you get the opportunity to hear people's stories, sometimes happy, sometimes sad.
"In those situations you're called to look and make meaning of what's happening."
