The Western Sydney Region will launch its first DVD at its Annual Conference at Kellyville Anglican Church on June 19. The DVD is an educational tool for parishes, aimed at promoting strategic planning for mission.
“The greatest area of concern was how we might encourage congregations as they continue to engage in the work of the mission, as God builds his church in Western Sydney,”  said Tony Jones, an adviser for Anglican Youthworks and regional council member. “The purpose of this DVD is to help parishes think through some of the issues related to being in mission mode.”
The DVD has three teaching sections, each dealing with a different aspect of mission: dependency on God in prayer, creating vision, and using resources. Each section includes Bible teaching from Archbishop Peter Jensen, details on how problems can manifest themselves and ways forward to find solutions.
Copies of the DVD will be made available to all the churches within the region, with a presentation on how to use it in their parishes. It is hoped that discussion will be stimulated at small group levels throughout the 55 parishes in the region.
The theme of the Annual Conference will be ‘Maintaining the Momentum for Mission’, and will commence with a keynote address by Phillip Jensen.
Commenting on the chosen theme for the conference, Bishop Lee said, “It has been terrific to see the vast majority of churches in the region jumping on the bandwagon of the diocesan Mission. It takes enormous energy and commitment to commence new initiatives in evangelistic enterprises and church planting.  It takes even more energy and commitment to see it through. I don’t want any church to burn out or become discouraged. I want us to remain in mission mode for the long haul.”
Annual Conference enquiries can be made to the Anglican Church Centre, Parramatta, on 9635 3186.