Canberra and Goulburn’s new Assistant Bishop, Archdeacon Trevor Edwards, has been appointed to head up the diocese’s evangelistic efforts, but says his first task will be to ‘restore confidence in the gospel’.
The Rector of St Matthew’s, Wanniassa and former Archdeacon of South Sydney will stay in parish ministry to model the setting up of new faith communities in his own parish, while helping other Christians to think strategically about gospel growth in their own suburbs.
Bishop George Browning said Mr Edwards’ role will be to oversee ‘outreach and evangelism, and the growing of new communities of faith’ throughout the diocese. “We want evangelism to be part of our culture, not just an event,” Bishop Browning said.
Mr Edwards says ‘confidence in Christ’ is paramount. “Firstly, we need to help people be confident in their faith and in telling their story – to restore their confidence in the power of the risen Jesus to change lives. Secondly, we want to help churches think strategically about evangelism.”
Earlier this year a church was started in the growth area of Jerrabombarra. In the South Coast parish of Moruya, a congregation has begun meeting in St Peter’s Anglican College, Broulee.
New congregations are also being established in other areas.
“It needs to be recognised that evangelism and the establishing of new communities of faith have been going on in this diocese for some time,” Mr Edwards said.
“What this new role will do is enable a more coordinated and intentional focus to these core activities. Bishop Browning wants people from every tradition of churchmanship to see outreach as a priority.”
Mr Edwards will be consecrated on June 12.