Key Elements of the Project

1. Project coordinator

The Bishop will appoint a Diocesan Coordinator of this project. This person will be a senior priest with extensive experience in rural ministry and a commitment to the process of bringing fresh expressions of the Anglican contribution to rural communities. The primary responsibilities of this person will be to

Oversee the establishment of each project
Train and recruit potential project priests
Provide supervision and training for project priests
Provide a link to the Diocese
Ensure the review and evaluation of each project

2. Project priest

A pastor priest will be appointed by the Bishop to lead each project. This person will be 'Priest in Charge' of the project for an agreed period of up to three years. He/she will have proven effectiveness in rural ministry and community development. They must satisfy the selection criteria of each project partner. The Project Pastor has a powerful opportunity, both practically and symbolically, to reshape and reinterpret mission and ministry in rural communities. With permission to forgo some of the expected duties of chaplains to dying churches, their primary focus will be on the equipping of God's people and caring for the wider community. We hope that these leaders will find themselves opening doors to new opportunities for mission for the whole congregation.

3. Project parishes

A Parish commissioned by the Bishop as an ARC Development Project Parish. The leadership of a project parish must have a commitment to nurturing the community through significant change.

4. ARC project team/s

Working with the Project Priest and the Parish Council this small team appointed by the parish will give direction and leadership to the project at a local level. The teams may be at a local Congregational level or parish-wide depending on local need.

5. Project partner

The Diocese of Tasmania is committed to resourcing the reinvigoration of Anglican Ministry and Mission in Rural Parishes. The Diocesan Ministry Council will allocate resources at both parish and Diocesan level. The Diocesan Director of Ministry will act as the link with the Diocese.

Where a parish, with the Diocese, is unable to meet minimum financial obligations it may be appropriate to involve another partner.

Bush Church Aid Society of Australia (BCA) may be a partner in this project. Their specific mission is to minister in remote and regional Australia. They bring a commitment to prayer, wide ministry expertise, a commitment to staff care, supervision and support and financial resources to the project.

BCA is an association of Christians within the Anglican Church whose vision and goal is - Australia For Christ

BCA has a priority in mission to the isolated, remote urban and rural people of Australia.

BCA's purpose is:

to proclaim Christ so that people may respond to him
to nurture Christians in their faith and ministry
to strengthen local Christian communities in their mission
to provide services of Christian care and advocacy
to develop an understanding of Christ's mission
to promote active partnership throughout the church