Page 24 - The Church of Ireland Apologetic for Mission?

Sharing the Faith cites the importance of recognising the missionary emphasis in the New Testament, from Jesus’ sending out his disciples two by two to teach and heal (Luke 10) to his post– resurrection command recorded in the Gospel according to Matthew, known as the Great Commission (Matt 28:18–20).
The APCK document also quotes Christ’s words to the disciples in Matthew 28:18- 20 where he says “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember,
I am with you always, to the end of the age”. It suggests that these words of Jesus fall into three parts: a statement, a command, and a promise.
The statement deals with the authority of Jesus – all authority has been given to him. It is a universal authority of truth and love, effected and revealed through his life, death and resurrection. It is through Jesus that God’s kingdom, the reign of justice and peace, has been inaugurated.
The word “Go” introduces the threefold command to Jesus’ followers: to make disciples, baptise them, and teach them. The word
“Go” is crucial; it makes plain that the outward direction of mission has no limitations, it is to make disciples of all nations, all ethnic groups, tribes and peoples. It is all–inclusive. Baptism, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, celebrates the start of a new relationship with God. Teaching then enables the new disciples to grow in their knowledge and love of God throughout their lives.
As to the promise, the Great Commission ends with some comfortable words about mission:
https://www.ireland.anglican.org/our-faith/apck/sharing-the-faith http//www.anglicancommunion.org/identity/about.aspx
Jesus is with his people until the end of time as together we work to realise God’s kingdom. Jesus will be with his messengers, as they are engaged in obeying his commission, each and every day. They will never be left to depend on their own limited abilities.32
2. Key texts from the wider Anglican Communion
The Church of Ireland is part of the wider Anglican Communion, consisting of some 85 million members. These are part of national or regional Churches that call themselves Anglican (or Episcopal in some countries) and are collectively known as the Anglican Communion.
Anglicans share aspects of their history, tradition and ways of worshipping. But no two churches are exactly alike even within a diocese, let alone a province or between countries. This unity in diversity is a key characteristic of Anglicanism.
There are thirty-eight autonomous national and regional Churches, along with six Extra Provincial Churches and dioceses all of which are in Communion - in a reciprocal relationship - with the Archbishop of Canterbury, who is the Communion’s spiritual head.
There is no Anglican central authority. Each Church makes its own decisions in its own ways, guided by recommendations from the Lambeth Conference, Anglican Consultative Council, the Primates’ Meeting and the Archbishop of Canterbury.
The Anglican Consultative Council (ACC) exists to facilitate the co-operative work of the churches of the Anglican Communion between the Provinces and churches, and to help co-ordinate common action. It advises on the organisation and structures of the Communion, and seeks to develop common policies with respect to the world mission of the Church, including ecumenical matters33.
The ACC has produced several key
policy documents on the Anglican Communion’s common commitment to, and understanding of, God’s holistic mission
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