Page 40 - The Church of Ireland Apologetic for Mission?

Mothers’ Union, Church Army. The services are available to all Parishes in Northern Ireland.
The Board undertakes the following actions:
• Commentsonsocialissuesandlegislation affecting Northern Ireland.
• Givespracticalhelptoassistthepastoral work of the Church.
• EmploysprofessionalSocialWorkStaff. Board for Social Theology and Action
The Church of Ireland recently piloted a new model when it established the Board for Social Theology and Action. It intentionally sought membership with appropriate skills and motivation.
This board has now been renamed the Church and Society Commission.
Given that this was such a new model of organising a central committee it is worth asking how well it worked and what the learning has been from this pilot?
The Select Committee on Human Sexuality in The Context of Christian Belief
This is a 16-person group set up by the 2013 Church of Ireland General Synod. Membership was drawn from “a broad
range of human sympathy, life experience and geographical belonging in the complex organism that is the Church of Ireland today”.60 The remit of the Select Committee is to enable the listening, dialogue and learning process on all issues concerning human sexuality in the context of Christian belief to continue.
The Select Committee was empowered to bring whatever motions it deems appropriate via Standing Committee to the General Synod and to consult as widely as possible.
A planning paper divided the work into two phases:
• Duringthefirstphaseaframeworkwill be developed and a Guide to the Debate on Human Sexuality in the Context of Christian Belief will be produced. Within
•
this framework issues relating to human sexuality will be addressed.
Phase2willexploreindepthspecific issues in human sexuality in which questions relating to the place of LGBT persons in the life of the Church would
be addressed as a priority, but other issues may also be included concerning relationships and marriage and also some features in society such as domestic abuse, human trafficking, child sexual abuse.
At the time of writing the work of this Select Committee is ongoing so it is not yet possible to comment on its effectiveness.
An initial timeframe of two years was extended at the 2015 General Synod. The Report of the Select Committee to the 2015 General Synod outlined its work going forward to:
(i) complete production on a Guide for the assistance of the Church;
(ii) produce a Study Guide with modules and suggested questions for use in diocesan or parish groups.61
15. Eco-Congregations
Individuals, parishes and at least one diocese are involved in Eco-Congregation Ireland (ECI). ECI is a project initiated by the Church in Society Forum – a standing committee of the Irish Inter-Church Meeting. The Roman Catholic, Church of Ireland, Presbyterian and Methodist churches are involved as well as the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers).
ECI encourages churches of all denominations to take an eco-approach to worship, lifestyle, property and finance management, community outreach and contact with the developing world.
The vision is to see churches of all denominations throughout Ireland celebrate the gift of God’s creation, recognise the inter-dependence of all creation and care for it in their life and mission and through members’ personal lifestyles.
60 40 61
Speech by Archbishop Michael Jackson to General Synod (proposing Motion to establish the Select Committee – 9 May 2013) p 376