Just six months since their leadership was announced, the new diocesan mission areas are already taking off with enthusiastic planning, research and strategies for the future.
Bishop Ivan Lee, who is leading the mission area initiative, held a two-day conference with the 19 mission area leaders in mid-November. Part of the program at the conference was a progress report from each leader, and Bishop Lee says he was astounded at how much had already been accomplished.
"They came up with sheets and sheets of what they were doing or planning," he says. "What they do in each mission area is different because it's about local programs and strategy, but it is definitely gaining momentum and some areas are doing so much it's unbelievable."
Thanks to research about how churches grow, Bishop Lee says some priorities for the mission areas are already becoming clear.
"There are some big priorities "” youth and children for sure" and another is continuing Connect [For Life]. We believe that had a big impact and we really want to continue on with contacting people."
Strategies include working out how to make effective contact with people after they move into an area, as well as helping Anglican churchgoers who move from one area to another link up with an Anglican church near their new home.
Bishop Lee says most rectors have had a meeting with their area leader and all are being asked how they can be better supported in mission.
Shoalhaven Youth Ministry
In the Shoalhaven, mission area leader the Rev Matthew Pickering from All Saints', Nowra says two ideas have already borne fruit.
The first is a link between youth ministries at different churches "” training together, holding combined events and, importantly, getting churches with larger youth ministries to help out those with fewer resources.
Group members will also support the youth ministry specialist being sent to lead the provisional parish of Culburra Beach. The parish had asked the bishop for a younger clergyman "” and Youthworks' Wollongong-based youth advisor, the Rev Paul McPhail (a deacon) will start there in January under the authority of the Rev Sean Heslehurst, rector of Bomaderry.
"In the past the parish has received older clergy who were close to retirement" now there'll be a younger fellow and he's going to concentrate on young families," Mr Pickering says. "If any other matters arise, then rather than be distracted he's to contact us [the mission area group] about that and we'll see what we can do. It's a very different way of doing things."
