Go Out into the WorldAnglican Diocese of Toronto

Clergy ConferenceMay 14, 2012

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cultural changes of the past 25 years . . .

Like the change from navigating the roads to . . . . . . navigating the oceans

How we think about missionWe begin with church as it is, as we have

experienced it, as we assume it has always been

We assume that God likes the way church is done at present, and does not want or need any big changes

We assume therefore that “mission” means getting people into church as it is

The Creator has not given up on our world, but is at work to renew the world and put

everything to rights. The heart of God’s work in the

world is the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

This is the missio dei—the mission of God.

What is the Gospel?

It’s not that the church of God has a mission in the world,

but thatthe God of mission

has a church in the world

The Rev. Simon BellSt. George the Martyr Church, Toronto

The Rev. Martha TatarnicSt. David Anglican-Lutheran Congregation, Orillia

THE ANXIETY

Conversation with Gary:

Barrie Community Health Centre

John Welch , Seasons of the Heart:‘What do men and women in our parishes, our

retreat houses, in counselling want? Everything! Count on it, and minister to it. And we say to ourselves and to them, that the hunger within us is so deep and powerful that, acknowledged or not, only God is sufficient food. When Jesus preached the present and coming Reign of God he was speaking precisely to the deep desires, the holy longing, in the hearts of his listeners.’ (pg. 4)

Opportunity: EVANGELISM

But where does evangelism start?

Why are We HERE?Why NOW?

How have I been changed? How have we been changed?

What is God doing in us that needs to be shared? How do we share it?

What gifts has God given me to offer / us to offer?

The Rev. Mark LeachTrinity Church, Streetsville