MISSION ACTION PLAN
Anglican Diocese of the Murray
PASTORAL DISTRICT OF THE RIVERLAND
VISION: Growing closer to God, each other and our community.
MISSION: We accept as our mission the Five Marks of Mission, as developed by the Anglican
Consultative Council and accepted widely across the world.
1. To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom
2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
3. To respond to human need by loving service
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence
of every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew
the life of the earth
TELL
TEACH
TEND
TRANSFORM
TREASURE
This Mission Action Plan (MAP), first adopted in September 2015, sets out our objectives and
actions to be pursued for the remainder of 2015 and during 2016.
The MAP is a living document, to be reviewed and updated - overseen by PD Council.
The opportunities for growth in our church and growth in our personal faith are exciting. The
objectives will be realised through the Holy Spirit and involvement of every member, using
their time, energy and gifts.
1. To proclaim the good news of the Kingdom
Proclamation may be in words – effective communication of the Gospel – but also in
actions, by living the Good News we preach.
Objective: To extend our mix of worship styles, valuing the traditional while seeking
relevance to today’s worshippers.
Actions:
Schedule at least two priest led Eucharistic services per month in each Church
(except Morgan). Fr Paul
In consultation with Bishop John, develop non-Eucharistic service(s) for alternate
Sundays. By December 2015, train Pastoral Assistants to lead those services.
Fr Paul
Explore an additional service particularly accessible to families and children. By
December 2015, develop a format and the necessary skills and resources to trial
such a service at Renmark and Waikerie. Fr Paul, Ruth Daws, Janet Grosse, Mark
Taylor.
Objective: To improve our communication with existing and prospective members and the
public.
Action:
Develop a Communications Strategy identifying avenues developed by us, e.g.
pew sheet, magazine, visitor cards, website, social networking, and use of outside
avenues, e.g. newspapers, other websites, etc. Present a draft to PD Council.
Anne Battams and Louise Burgess.
20 September 2015
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2. To teach, baptise and nurture new believers
Christian discipleship is about lifelong learning, so we all need formal and informal
resources for growing in faith, so that the Church is a learning environment for all ages.
Objective: To provide access within the Riverland to teaching offered remotely through the
Diocese and St Mark’s National Theological Centre, Canberra.
Action:
Through discussion with the Diocese, determine the requirements for receiving
remotely delivered teaching. Explore what suitable facilities are already available
within the Riverland or how our own resources may be developed.
Ruth Daws to liaise with AC Care.
Objective: To provide further opportunities to foster fellowship through small groups.
Action:
Support and promote existing small groups and identify further opportunities for
creation of new groups, e.g. Home Groups, special interest, bible study, prayer.
Local Management Committees
Objective: To provide a Christian introduction course suitable for seekers and new believers.
Action:
Select a suitable course, e.g. Pilgrim, Alpha. Locate or develop a course coordinator. Promote and conduct at least one course during 2016.
Local Management Committees
Objective: To offer an opportunity for people throughout the Pastoral District to meet together
in fellowship and explore their faith over a weekend.
Action:
Explore the viability of presenting a Mission Weekend during 2016, including
programme ideas, venue, cost, time of year, and likely attendance. Present
results to the PD Council in December 2015. Working Group
Objective: To provide further outreach to the community at a local level.
Action:
Develop a local outreach plan for each Church – present to the Annual Vestry
Meeting 2016. Local Management Committees
Objective: To improve our welcome to worship participants and ensure all are able to fully
participate in and readily understand our worship.
Actions:
Develop user-friendly service booklets for Baptisms by the end of 2015.
During 2016, explore user-friendly booklets or other means of presentation, e.g.
slideshow, for other services, in particular family-friendly worship.
Identify existing and prospective Welcomers. By February 2016, present simple
workshops on welcoming people. Local Management Committees
Objective: To pursue a Stewardship Programme within the Pastoral District
Action:
Through discussion with Bishop John, determine the format, timing and
implementation of a Diocese wide or Pastoral District focussed Stewardship
Programme.
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Objective: To nurture new believers.
Action:
Encourage people to reach out to and maintain communication with those who
have been baptised and confirmed, and their families. Support Fr Paul in this
nurturing. Local Management Committees
3. To respond to human need by loving service
Churches have a long tradition of care through pastoral ministry. Christians are called to
respond to the needs of people locally and in the wider human community.
Objective: To further develop our Pastoral Care.
Action:
Form a Pastoral Care team across the PD, including a coordinator at each
Church, by December 2015. Ascertain the training needs of the team and
request assistance from AC Care to provide or facilitate training during 2016.
Fr Paul, Ruth Daws, Local Management Committees
Objective: To support existing organisations providing service to human need.
Action:
Encourage congregation support of Waikerie Intercare and the Berri Op Shop.
Liaise regularly with AC Care and give practical assistance when requested, e.g.
buckets of cleaning products. Keep congregations aware of the effort and
results, including reporting in the Riverland Grapevine.
Objective: To further develop associations with Service Clubs.
Actions:
Liaise with local Service Clubs and organisations such as Meals on Wheels to
identify opportunities to serve. Local Management Committees
Explore the provision of Thanksgiving Services or other functions such as morning
tea for local Service Clubs. Local Management Committees
Objective: To extend our service to human needs beyond the Pastoral District.
Action:
Select a specific ABM project – to be ratified at Annual Vestry Meeting 2016.
Promote to congregations and develop special fundraising activities and
collections in support of the project. Local Management Committees
4. To seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of
every kind and to pursue peace and reconciliation
Jesus and the Old Testament prophets before him challenged oppressive structures in
God’s name. Christians should not only press for change, but also demonstrate justice
within Church structures.
Objective: To seek to be informed about unjust structures of society and develop strategies
to oppose and change them.
Action:
Encourage people to express their concerns and identify means of responding,
e.g. petitions, letters to Government Ministers, support to individuals or
organisations fighting the issue. Local Management Committees
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5. To strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and sustain and renew the
life of the earth
The Bible’s vision of salvation is universal in its scope. We are called to promote the wellbeing of the human community and its environment, so that Creation may live in
harmony.
Objective: To reduce our carbon footprint, both as a Church and personally.
Actions:
Increase our awareness of the concept of ‘carbon footprint’. Explore further
association with the Green Environment Anglican Network and promote the
cause of the network through publications.
Perform an energy audit on our buildings, including types of lighting, heating,
cooling, insulation, etc.
Perform a cost/benefit analysis on switching further to renewable energy for our
churches and rectories.
Explore avenues to inform ourselves on environmental issues e.g. invite an address
from an Environmental Officer from local Council.
Determine the ethical investments policy underlying our funds invested with the
Diocese. Inform congregations. Seek to lead change if policy insufficient.
A SECOND PRIEST
The Pastoral District spans over 100 km and the sole stipended Priest serves the congregations
of six churches and their surrounding communities. Further assistance is required to meet
existing needs and to allow for growth. Most obviously this would be via a second Priest.
Objective: To plan for a second Priest or explore alternative means of assistance.
Action:
Explore the issues around obtaining a second Priest for the Pastoral District,
including costs, existing financial resources, potential for assets to earn income,
potential for part time priest or deacon assistance, potential for further assistance
from laity – unpaid or paid, etc. Present a draft report to PD Council in December
2015 to enable a report to Annual Vestry Meeting 2016. Working Group
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to
me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have
commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28.18-20
To Him, who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than
all we can ask or imagine, inspire our work and vision that all may know your peace and love;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. AMEN
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