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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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August 2005 |
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The Gathering 2005Like so very many, I had a wonderful time at The Gathering of the Diocese in May. The mix of fellowship, praise, creativity, music, song, thoughtfulness, challenge, obvious spiritual gifting and God's people declaring their love for Him has a potency that causes me to lift my hands in praise. The organising group has processed the feedback forms. They have been greatly encouraged by enthusiastic praise and some constructive critique. We have been delighted that the ministry of our performing artist and his clowning act has stimulated some very interesting discussion. I thought he was fabulous. The moment when he took that young lad onto his shoulders and stepped up onto the wire was for me a profound image of the church. Rather like that 'Footsteps' poem, I could imagine us all lifted on to the shoulders of our saviour Jesus Christ. It's a scary ride sometimes but we are on the shoulders of the Master of the universe. I have a very strong sense of the significance of God's people gathering. Each Sunday we gather to form a Christian assembly. The call to worship gathers us from diverse backgrounds, we hear the Scriptures, pray, participate in Holy Communion, and finally, we are sent to spread the power and love of the triune God. There is a gift that comes from God when believers are gathered together in the name of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. Part of that gift is a sense that we are missionaries gathered, nurtured, then sent, returning to the places from which we came. I sensed that gift to us all at this year's Gathering. The Story Towers provided amazing insight into the missionary work that is happening in our parishes, schools and organisation. The stories were loud and clear. The diversity was obvious. I wish that I had had longer on the day to discuss the details on every tower. My initial reaction is that some very exciting new ministry and missionary work is emerging, but that most of us are struggling to begin new initiatives in mission. What a powerful gift it has been to be able to reflect on our life as the Anglican Church in Tasmania. Let's continue to work together as we seek to serve Christ in our local communities. Have you read the reports that many parishes have been able to put on our web page? They provide further understanding of our local ministries. I encourage you all to read them on our website using the link following after the photos. Thank you sincerely to all those who contributed the many hours that obviously went into the success of The Gathering. I will call us to gather again in 2008. My vision for that event is partly expressed in A Healthy Church-Transforming Life. One aspect of that vision is that our church in 2010 will be 50% larger than it is now: i.e. each Sunday approximately 2500 more Anglicans will be at worship. The Gathering 2008 will provide a check up for us. The question to be answered that year is, 'Do we have a future or not?' This is not the time to step back or slow down. It's not a time to withdraw or struggle with identity problems. This is not the time to play games over secondary issues. It is time to return to recommit ourselves to prayer and service as missionary disciples. We are the Body of Christ, formed by the Holy Spirit to make the Good News known. Until we gather again, may God bless us, His missionary church in Tasmania. Shalom, |
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