Prepare to meet a team of missioners willing to cross regional and diocesan boundaries to help you grow new and existing churches.
The Australian Anglican Church's National Mission Facilitator and the rector of St Paul's, Chatswood, the Rev Stuart Robinson has hand-picked a team of 11 Anglican ministers, known as the E-Team, to assist church leaders in mission and outreach.
"We hope to achieve a revolution!" proclaims team leader, Mr Robinson.
"The E-Team members are experienced in growing churches and starting new congregations. They are also people who have made mistakes and understand the pressure and stress that parish ministry can bring."
Numerous members of the E-Team are current or former Sydney Anglicans.
Anytime, anywhere
Contact with the E-team is not limited to regions or dioceses.
"Any member of the E-team is available " time permitting " by phone or email to assist wherever needs present," Mr Robinson says.
The E-Team aims to provide church leaders with access to people willing and able to answer their questions.
While this method is previously untested, Mr Robinson has high hopes for the E-Team.
"We need to be training and motivating people in the pews to share their faith and creatively disciple people in their relationship with Christ," he says.
Mr Robinson has confidence in his team because he has worked with each member.
"They're all people that I know personally and have worked with. They're church-planters. They're trustworthy."
The E-Team members have all worked across various dioceses and traditions, with areas of expertise ranging from strategic planning for missions, creative ideas for prayer and much more.
A success story
Since the E-Team's recent inception, Mr Robinson has received numerous phone calls from church leaders wanting to make use of the new service.
"I've had positive feedback from bishops and people have written letters saying how terrific it is," he says.
Mr Robinson has also challenged church leaders and parishioners to pray more while conducting any mission or outreach activities.
"Pray that God will have mercy. Pray for opportunities. Pray that he will open hearts. Pray for wisdom. We don't do enough of that," he says.
Growth expert visits Sydney
Mr Robinson also organised the visit of British archdeacon Bob Jackson who spoke at St Paul's, Chatswood yesterday.
Mr Jackson is a former UK government economic advisor who has been an archdeacon in the Diocese of Lichfield since 2004.
He is also the diocese's growth officer and has examined attendance patterns across the Church of England and turned to those churches that were growing to find a way forward.
Mr Jackson will speak at the General Synod Cathedral service on October 21.
Meet the E-Team members
The Rev Steve Abbott " Rector, West Pennant Hills, Diocese of Sydney. Contact: 0417 410 596; sabbott@stmatts.org.au
The Rev Lynette Bullard " Convener, Enabling Ministry Team, Forbes, Diocese of Bathurst. Contact: 0429 012 427; lynettebullard@bigpond.com.au
The Rev Arthur Copeman " Rector, Kincumber, Diocese of Newcastle. Contact: 0243 691 204; aarfa@bigpond.com
Bishop Trevor Edwards " Rector, Wanniassa, Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Contact: 0438 243 653; trevor@stmattswanniassa.org.au
The Rev Rosemary Gillham " Rector, Wyoming, Diocese of Newcastle. Contact: 0243 284 460; rjgillham@ozemail.com.au
The Rev Tim Harris " Rector, Kensington, Diocese of Adelaide. Contact: 0883 327 715; tim.harris@stmatts.asn.au
The Rev Ross Nicholson " Rector, Launceston, Diocese of Tasmania. Contact: 0407 916 603; rnicholson@stjohns.net.au
The Rev Dianne Nicolios " Vicar, Diamond Creek, Diocese of Melbourne. Contact: 0407 493 978; dnicolios@bigpond.com
The Rev Ian Palmer " Rector and Team Leader, Queanbeyan, Diocese of Canberra and Goulburn. Contact: 0411 242 596; ian.palmer@queanbeyananglican.org.au
The Rev Kanishka Raffel* " Rector, Shenton Park, Diocese of Perth. Contact: 0893 812 640; office@stmattsshentonpark.org.au * Province of WA only.
The Rev Ian Weaver " Priest in Charge, East Geelong, Diocese of Melbourne. Contact: 0409 604 006; iweaver@stmatthews.org.au
