Pioneer Ministry

Movers Pickard, J

Bishop Stephen Pickard moving, Bishop Tim Harris seconding

The General Synod:
a) acknowledges that patterns of faith and belief in Australia are changing and that the Anglican Church of Australia’s capacity to participate in God’s mission is diminishing when too many congregations struggle with vitality and outreach;
b) notes the ten-year anniversary of “Building the Mission-shaped Church” report in October 2006 and its call to build capacity for church planting and developing fresh expressions of church as strategies for mission and evangelism;
c) commends dioceses for undertaking a diverse range of initiatives at revitalising parishes, planting new churches and pioneering different forms of church for people who live in a changing culture;
d) recognises that the development of pioneer leaders capable of planting new churches or developing different forms of church remains problematic when little consensus about expectations for ordination and lay ministry exists nationally;
e) requests that the Mission and Ministry Commission:
i. convene a national network of pioneer leaders engaged in revitalisation, planting and fresh expressions to meet annually;
ii. convene a national research network to foster the theology and practice of evangelism;
iii. examine how community-based chaplaincy and pioneer ministry intersect to create fresh opportunities for mission in a changing society;
iv. explore ways to provide for coaching and training support for lay and women pioneer leaders; and
v. seek to engage the annual Bishops’ Conference in discussion about mission and evangelism in a changing Australia.

6 September 2017

Resolution year: 2017
Resolution number: 46/17