The building up of people and parishes is at the heart of ministry. Whatever ”˜church’ might look like in an assortment of possible expressions, with a better supported clergy and more teaching and learning opportunities, parishioners will be nurtured better in worship and faith.
We know that parish is a geographic and administrative term as much as it is a term for a local unit of the Church. Our parish system has been marvellously effective in evangelising neighbourhoods and sustaining the faithful with pastoral care. Nevertheless we know that modern society sees many people relating to each other through networks of shared interest, not just through or not even in neighbourhoods. The Church of England has pioneered work in Fresh Expressions of Church to seek to evangelise the networks of relationship in our society and pastorally care for Christians within them. There are undoubtedly many opportunities for us to progress work in this area in Australia. Early initiatives have included a dog walking group in the northern suburbs, the revitalisation of midweek worship as a focus for community in itself, and ministry around cycling groups in Bendigo.