Anglican Sojourner Fellowship Report to ANiC Council November 2013 • A Bridge of Living Stones “… being built up into Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2)
What is the ASF? • An outreach Ministry of ANiC to Orphans • Outreach not church planting • Using “Sojourner Circles” as building blocks • With two closely connected Objectives: • To restore Belonging (lost sheep) • To build Disciples • Combining both Virtual and Local Fellowship • Using a membership model that is faithful but non-exclusive • Committed to self-sufficiency
Current Status We are on a step-by-step journey guided by the Holy Spirit We have: • Established our focus • the Jerusalem Declaration as our foundaiton • the objective of turning orphans into disciples • “Sojourner Circles” as building blocks • Set up an interactive website and video- conferencing framework • Built a current “membership” of about 30 individuals
What do we Need?: 1. Growth • We have a chicken vs. egg Problem • Active members bring new members • We are dependent on volunteers • this approach is essential • But orphans are often “twice shy” • We plan to focus on recruitment • But we will need all the help we can get
Our Volunteer Needs Include: 1. Prayer Coordination 2. Controllership & administration 3. Membership, & greeting 4. Volunteer identifying and equipping 5. Website management • Website Forum development • Website linkages & resources 6. Discipleship program development 7. Videoconferencing & communications support 8. Worship support 9. Pastoral care (spiritual medic service) 10. Search and rescue function for lost sheep 11. ASF/ANiC parish linkage development 12. Sojourner Circle Development/Convening
What do we Need?: 2. To build parish partnerships • Our aim is to establish 2 way relationships • Parishes may be able to share clergy, worship and sermon resources • The ASF can extend the reach of parishes • E.g. an ANiC parish may serve as a “mother ship” for a number of Sojourner Circles in a region • The ASF can also provide web based networks, blogging and resource sharing for parishes • How do we explore this potential together? • Pilot models (Rural Southern Ontario)? • Sponsor a workshop (real or virtual)?
What do we Need?: 3. A strong relationship with ANiC • We are committed to encouraging local initiative while maintaining clear authority • A Fellowship Steering Committee is responsible for the ASF • It reports to the ANiC Council through an Executive Committee composed of : • Bishop Masters • Claus Lenk • Mark Larratt-Smith (ASF Convenor) • We believe that the next step is to finalize an ANiC-ASF MoU • We plan to have a draft for approval early in2014
The potential value to ANiC of the ASF 1. Recovering and enabling Anglican orphans 2. Contributing to discipleship training 3. Serving as a”Skunk Works” for ANiC • Exploring alternative patterns of membership and Church growth • Integrating new techniques into ANiC ministry and outreach • Broadening understanding of “Church” and Mission” 4. Using virtual technology to connect with and contribute to the GFCA
Recommend
More recommend
