Springwood Anglican Church has become the first parish in Sydney to launch a "Street Champions" scheme - a key "grass-roots' ministry initiative for Connect09.
The concept is modelled on the Church Army's "adopt-a-block" program, and the Rev Andrew Nixon, executive director of Connect09, says it will operate as an informal and low-key form of neighbourhood chaplaincy.
At Springwood they are pitching it as a "spiritual Neighbourhood Watch".
"There is still a lot of goodwill around Neighbourhood Watch and that's really what we are doing but with a focus on people's spiritual needs," says Springwood rector, the Rev Graham Crew.
The parish hopes to sign up all 1,000 of its members.
"We have 40,000 people in our parish. If all our members sign up and pray for 20 homes each then we will more than cover praying for all of them," says Mr Crew.
"The plan is to start by praying, then in Term 2 this year we will ask our street champions to survey their 20 households, as well as tell them that they are being prayed for."
Mr Crew says many parishioners are "very excited by the concept".
Anastasia Dalitz, who has already signed up, says praying for her neighbours is "so easy" and "such an obvious idea".
"I don't know why I didn't think of it before."
Into next year, Mr Crew hopes relationships will have been developed so that resource packs can be shared with them.
Anastasia admits she is "daunted" by this idea.
"It's like Beach Mission but more intimidating because you can't go home after two weeks " I know most people in my street and I know why they won't come to church. But when I think about [the Apostle] Paul I realise that God can still save them."
SC understands that Les Gray, the Mission Executive, is developing protocols to assist parishes to assess any risk management issues. Andrew Nixon is looking at how to equip Street Champions so they can assist households with high needs appropriately.
"It is essential we are well prepared to refer people to Anglicare and other appropriate service providers," says Mr Nixon.
"In the end, we trust that God is sovereign. Pray and trust him!"
The "now' and the "not yet' of connecting
Qualitative research undertaken for the Connect09 campaign shows that among Sydney Anglican churches morale about local ministry is generally high even though perceptions of the state of the Christian church in Australia are predominantly negative.
The respondents were generally upbeat about their churches, acknowledging the tough battle they face, but as one put it, "We're growing well by doing simple things well, like having an accepting, welcoming culture".
The research has been undertaken by the advertising agency engaged to help the Diocese prepare for the campaign and involved focus groups and in-depth interviews with a cross-section of clergy and lay groups across the five regions of the Sydney diocese.
Among the topics covered was church growth - where modest growth (say 2-5 per month per congregation) was said to be the norm, although growth was most difficult in those areas where there has been rapid transformation from "family' to apartment living.
What lay people think
While the welcoming culture was readily acknowledged, many in the groups were time-poor and said that evangelism often fell down the list of priorities.
"It is a little like getting exercise, or losing weight: I know I must, I'm committed to it, I will get there soon."
The research found some people don't immediately see what they are doing as evangelism even though it falls under a broad definition.
All were enthusiastic about playing some role in evangelism activity, but quite a few currently felt awkward, ill-prepared or just plain scared.
For some - even bringing someone along to church was an uncertain activity.
There were simple questions such as "What do I do with them? Is it my job to "convert' them? How do you do that?"
For others, lack of friends or contacts who are "not yet Christians" is a barrier.
Among those surveyed, newer Christians and younger ones tend to know more people and more "not yet Christians" while older Christians have fewer NYC acquaintances.
According to the respondents, there seemed to be a number of parishes without an evangelism plan.
Although welcoming new attendees at church is universal, going out to the people in the way suggested by the Connect09 campaign is less common.
Connect09 team reflects
The research will be added to feedback already coming in from rectors, other church staff and people across the diocese.
The Rev Andrew Nixon, Connect09 executive director, says some of the feedback can be acted on easily and quickly. For example, Mr Nixon says, "The groups pointed out that there seems to be little inter-parish sharing of ideas - that's something our new website ([url=http://www.connect09.com]http://www.connect09.com[/url]) will address".
Generally the research participants saw the atmosphere of 21st-century living as both an opportunity and a barrier.
Some saw that people seem to have fewer unfulfilled needs and are therefore less likely to turn to God, but for others the care of people in need, materially and emotionally, is seen as a real opportunity.
The research does seem unanimous about the need to "connect".
As one of those surveyed said, "Real encounters with the church impress people".
