Rural ministry team heads to Canada for symposium
Rural ministry team heads to Canada for symposium
4 November 2016
Major Maree Strong is heading to Canada with a small team of delegates for a symposium on rural ministry. Photo Shairon Paterson.
“Rural Church into the next 100 years” is the focus of the ecumenical symposium, which runs from 14-16 November. Major Maree Strong, Territorial Rural Ministry Consultant; Lieutenants Natalie and Simon Steele, flying padres; and Captain Tahlia Grounds, Orange Corps Officer, are attending the symposium. Major Strong will remain in Canada for an additional 10 days to network with Salvation Army stakeholders in rural ministry in the Canada and Bermuda Territory. Her itinerary will also include visits to a number of healthy rural expressions.
Guest speakers and workshops at the symposium will address subjects such as natural church development, training lay leadership, reconfiguration of congregations, options for small churches, online ministry, remote church planting, indigenous outreach, and rural ministry “out of the box”.
“This is an exciting opportunity for us to explore new options in our approach to rural ministry and mission,” said Major Strong. “This visit will strengthen networks with others who face similar conditions in terms of vast distances, small congregations and challenging economic and environmental conditions.
“The Salvation Army’s response to the needs of Australians living in the rural areas will undoubtedly look different into the future. We need healthy faith communities led by healthy leaders in order to see a revival in our land. Establishing communities of hope based on an integrated mission model and offering a holistic approach to ministry and engagement with the local community will be key to a vibrant, healthy future for the whole body of Christ. Forming beneficial partnerships within the Army and with other denominations could be critical in establishing and sustaining healthy faith communities.”
The focus of the Army’s rural ministry will continue to be meeting the needs of rural communities and making sure they know they are supported and cared for.
The team going to Canada will return with new insights and the challenge to explore how best to translate their learning into realities for the Australian context. “This could include long-term incarnational living and sharing the gospel; a new ministry for the many Christians heading ‘bush’ to live; and changing the culture around rural ministry,” said Major Strong. “We need to listen to God and watch where he is already working. I believe God is doing ‘a new thing’ in our land and wants us to join him in this!”
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