Page 19 - The Church of Ireland Apologetic for Mission?

chapter one
a church of ireland apologetic for mission?
How do we articulate the mission of the Church of Ireland in a way that can be embraced and supported by all?13
Mission is about the ‘other’.
To engage in Christian apologetics is to present a rational basis for the Christian faith. With regards to mission, either at home or globally, is there
a Church of Ireland apologetic for the same? In other words, can rational evidence be presented to identify the level of importance of mission to the Church of Ireland?
There are two ways of finding out whether a denomination can demonstrate an apologetic for mission. One is to look at what the denomination has to say about it in its most important documents. The other is to observe how this is demonstrated in action.
the Lord’s family; to seek for Christ’s sheep that are dispersed abroad, and for his children who are in the midst of this naughty world, that they may be saved through Christ forever”.14
In rather more contemporary language Ordination Service 2 states:
Priests (or presbyters) in the Church of God are called to work with the bishop and with other priests as servants
and shepherds among the people to whom they are sent.
They are to proclaim the Word of the Lord, to call those who hear to repentance, and in Christ’s name to pronounce absolution and declare the forgiveness of sins ... They are to baptise, and to catechize.
They are to minister to the sick and
to prepare the dying for their death. They must always set the Good Shepherd before them as the pattern of their calling, caring for the people committed to their charge, and joining with them in a common witness, that the world may come to know God’s glory and love.15
As the bishop and priest lay hands on each candidate they pray “Give them wisdom and discipline to work faithfully with all their fellow servants in Christ that the world may come to know your glory and your love ... Set them among your people to proclaim boldly the word of
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1.
Key texts within the Church of Ireland
Texts in seminal documents in the Church of Ireland suggest that mission is not peripheral to what it believes to be important.
a. Service of Ordination for Priests
Ordination Services in the 2004 Book of Common Prayer contain clear emphases on mission, in its various manifestations, for those seeking to be ordained into leadership in the Church of Ireland.
In Ordination Service One the charge to those to be ordained is specified:
... to be messengers, watchmen, and stewards of the Lord; to teach and to admonish, to feed and provide for
Question to be addressed by the 2014 Network Conference p532 2004 Book of Common Prayer
p565 2004 Book of Common Prayer
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