TUESDAY'S NEWS

Mission societies amalgamate with dynamic agenda

The biggest structural change proposed at this year's General Synod is the creation of the Church of Ireland Council for Mission, following the amalgamation of the Council for Mission in Ireland and the Council for the Church Overseas.

The Synod approved the proposed constitution of the new Council, which stated its objective of being "the official body of the General Synod of the Church of Ireland concerned with the mission of the Church". The urgency of mission and the Council's intention to promote effective models of mission and evangelism will form the dynamic focus of its objectives, which will place a combined emphasis on the mission of the Church at home and abroad.

The two missionary councils had been working towards the objective of amalgamation for the past nine years. Speaking of the proposal, Mrs Bobbie Moore of Connor Diocese said, "Here is a wonderful opportunity for the Church of Ireland to actively endorse a motion which sends a clear message about its policy on the very raison d'etre of the Church's existence." Quoting from the scoping study The Hard Gospel, she added, "You are here to help incarnate the Kingdom of God and contribute to the transformation of this society."

Mrs Moore’s message was reinforced by the Right Rev Ken Clarke, Bishop of Kilmore, who reminded the Synod that every Sunday morning congregations throughout the Church were “sent out afresh as missionaries”, and the Rev David McClay from the Diocese of Down and Dromore spoke of his wish that a passion for mission be multiplied in the Church of Ireland. The Rev Dr Ron Elsdon (Connor Diocese) spoke of the past “unreal distinction” between mission in Ireland and overseas and said he very much hoped that the amalgamation of the two bodies would constitute “a real marriage”.