TUESDAY'S NEWS
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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”.
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