Council for Mission considers Fresh Expressions of Church in Ireland
During the year, the Council devoted much time to studying the Church of England report Mission-Shaped Church and how to facilitate Fresh Expressions of Church across Ireland.
Proposing the report of the Council to the Synod, Bishop Harold Miller emphasized the fact that there are currently large numbers of people who are unable to connect with traditional models of Church. “There are, all over this island, massive missional gaps in the people-groups and areas with which we meaningfully engage,” he told Synod. Professional people, young adults and those living in disadvantaged areas were cited as among those who often fall into these “gaps”. The Bishop pointed to projects such as café churches, youth-orientated churches, and congregations for people from other cultures which are already thriving in Ireland. The role of the Council is now not just to acknowledge these but to actively encourage their development.
The Bishop of Derry noted that for those who grew up with the traditional models of church these “fresh expressions” may seem uncomfortable. However, he urged that the Church needs to be uncomfortable and embrace new ways of reaching people that are currently slipping through the net.
Seconding the report, Revd Patrick Comerford (Dublin) told Synod of a project entitled ‘Discovery’, a ministry among the international community in Dublin which is also involved in advocacy. He called for an all-Ireland conference to be held in order for the Church of Ireland to decide as a whole how it can sustain an effective ministry to meet the needs of the new international communities on this island.
The Council for Mission also took part in a mission-mapping process during the year in which it collated information from all the parishes and mission groups on the links they have with other parts of the Anglican Communion. It is hoped that this process will help to share the good news of what is being done throughout the Church, encourage others to get involved and identify problems and challenges that are faced by those undertaking such projects.