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The Anglican Church in Tasmania Search |
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a healthy church...transformingLIFE |
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August 2006 |
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Healthy Missional ChurchesGrowing Healthy Missional Churches in Inner Hobart. John Tongue explains what is happening. As followers of Jesus, we need to be continually asking ourselves the ‘Mission Question’: How can we do even better than we have been doing at connecting with our societies and communities to see transformation for the sake of Christ’s Kingdom? The churches of inner Hobart have, together, been wrestling seriously with that question for some twelve to eighteen months now, in the process known as the Hobart Inner-city Mission Conversation: ‘How can we be a Healthy Church at Mission, in inner Hobart? In April 2005, Bishop John, with his heart to facilitate mission, invited five inner-Hobart Anglican Parishes into this Mission Conversation. In the first round were St David’s Cathedral, and four neighbouring Parishes: BayWest, All Saints South Hobart, St George’s Battery Point, and Holy Trinity Hobart. At last year’s Parish AGMs each group was asked whether they wanted to continue in the Conversation – the Bishop may invite people into dialogue, but each Parish decides its own future. The second round of the Conversation (HICMC) saw representatives from Holy Trinity, St David’s, St George’s, and BayWest select four of many indicators of church health, where we might profitably consider greater co-operation in delivery of our ministry and mission. In doing so, the desire was to build upon our strengths, but also to address areas of possible weakness. The four key areas were Mission, Worship Services, Staffing and Facilities. It was judged important to keep the sense of ‘mission’ foremost in our thinking. Because the representatives involved in the conversation were unable do justice to the missional questions, a separate sub-committee was commissioned to address these. Their findings strongly informed the final report , which was presented to members of the four parishes and other interested parties, at the Collegiate Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday, 19 July. Broadly speaking, the report urges a combination of both ‘partnerships’ and ‘mergers’ as the best way for us to be a Healthy Missional Church in the inner city of Hobart. The proposal is that we pursue a merger between Holy Trinity and BayWest; a strong and dynamic partnership between the Cathedral and St George’s; and also a stronger partnership between St David’s/St George’s and the newly combined Parish. Although the HICMC provided some suggestions, some issues of staffing and facilities remain to be worked out. It does seem that this model allows us to maintain much of what is good, while at the same time equipping ourselves to be a church at mission, well-placed to meet the twenty-first century context of the society in which we live. The changes will have significant effects.Numbers in ministry positions will remain the same, although these new arrangements will allow staff to have greater specialisation in their ministries. Overall, there will be fewer services in total, but a greater diversity in the style of services offered. The Cathedral and St George’s buildings will be unaffected. The newly merged parish (Holy Trinity and BayWest) will be investigating their options as far as building usage is concerned. Bishop John is very excited about the possibilities that lie before us.As always, structural change will need to arise from the people of the parishes, and some voting will need to occur at various stages of our journey together. However, it is an exciting journey, for which we earnestly request your prayers and support.
John Tongue is Rector of Holy Trinity Hobart and member of HICMC |
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