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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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What is the Donkey Ministry? |
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The Donkey Ministry is simply using, in an evangelistic context, the charismatic, magnetic presence of the gentle donkey as an attraction to non-churchgoers. My donkeys have worked in spreading the Gospel inside churches, Melbourne's St Paul's Cathedral, city streets, community parades, schools, a showground pavilion and a construction site; at outreach events such as Anzac Remembrance, Palm Sunday and Resurrection Sunday services, Easter and Christmas Parades, Family Day celebrations, church picnics and carol services. (We do not go to fêtes as outreach is our goal). An example of using the donkeys to attract non-churchgoers to a church service:Non-churchgoers are sometimes happy to come to a church hall or onto church grounds, but are reluctant to come to a service. At a funeral or wedding, their body language makes it quite clear they are attending because they have to! So some churches invite the Donkey Ministry Team to a Thanksgiving for the Animals Service, where two donkeys come inside the church, down the aisle and quietly stand at the front as the service unfolds. (Jake, in particular, really loves the singing and music!) This is very much an evangelistic service, with letterbox-advertising that animals are welcome to come to church (on leads or in cages etc.), donkeys will be inside, and free donkey rides are available outside after the service. Certificates are offered to those who bring an animal, to remember that they came to a special church service to give thanks to God for all that His creatures mean to us. A feel-good storyPeople always stay behind after these services, to talk and to see what the church has to offer. Every child has at least one free ride, people take photos, others queue for their certificates, and usually there is a free sausage sizzle. Sometimes the media will come too: 'donkeys in church' is a feel-good story. It is important to hear positive things about the church - and for us to chip away at the 'stuffy boring' negative stereotype that so many people have of the Christian church. We have a well-worked-out service for such an event.Those who ride the donkeys receive a brochure entitled 'I rode a donkey like someone special rode a donkey'. Inside is the relevant Christian story and space to draw 'my picture of me riding the donkey', to keep as a memento. Parents waiting in the long queue are also given something relevant and evangelistic to read (produced by Fusion and in colour and adult language). Recently a small gig or sulky has been bought and one of the donkeys trained to pull it, so donkey cart rides are now on offer. If things go to plan, donkey rides, donkey pack trailing and donkey cart rides may become part of Mission Afloat activities. WinningSo, if you are someone with evangelism in your heart and seeking an outreach ministry maybe you will consider offering your services. Being able to ride or handle big animals is not a requirement: more important is the desire to reach out with the message of our Lord Jesus. The Donkey Ministry will give you a chance to do this in a gracious and 'winning' way.
Contact Gayelene Harrower: 6229 3326 (answering machine) P.S. A 'miracle request'. Does anyone have a reliable horse truck for sale cheap, and able to carry four donkeys and a gig? I am also looking for a good, solid ordinary trailer to transport the gig until the horse truck is found! |
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