Mission, Mission, Mission - Priorities for our Diocese
As a Diocese, mission is our first priority. We are seeking to discover what God is doing in this Diocese as a part of his great plan to reconcile the whole of creation to himself in Christ and the contribution we are being asked to make in this great plan. We are committed to the Five Marks of Mission and in addition, as a result of work carried out some four years ago we gave encouragment and support to all of our churches to be healthy, by playing their full part in: Worshipping God, Working to Rid the World of Poverty, Sharing the Gospel, Building Inclusive Communities, Helping People to Faith & Caring for the Earth.
The new Archdeacon of Worcester was appointed in 2008, with an additional brief to take a lead in mission and evangelism. In January 2009, Archdeacon Roger and Paul Bayes, the National Mission and Evangelism Adviser and Honorary Canon of Worcester Cathedral, helped the Bishop's Council to focus for the next three years on the three areas which emerge from the marks of a healthy church;
Equipping people to share their faith
In addressing the first, a Diocesan Spirituality Group, chaired by Bishop David, has been established, which will work alongside the Revd Paul Hunt as Diocesan Spirituality Adviser. The Revd Doug Chaplin, Diocesan Worship Advisor will be working on the second and The Revd David Sherwin, Diocesan Evangelism Advisor, will be working on the third. The Venerable Roger Morris, Archdeacon of Worcester, will be working with the latter to establish a Diocesan College of Evangelists, a group of clergy and laity with gifts of evangelism who will become a resource to the rest of the diocese in supporting the work of parishes in this area of growth. Particular initiatives to which we are already committed to include the Wedding Project, and Back to Church Sunday.
If you have any questions about any aspect of Mission, please don't hesitate to get in touch with any of these people, who will be delighted to help.
Bishop John's office can be contacted on 01905 731599 or
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