MISSION
Exploring New Mission-Fields in the North by The Right Rev’d Dr Tim Harris It is a well-established axiom in approaching missional ministry that adapting to a range of contexts (social, cultural, demographic, religious and spiritual) is essential if we are to be truly incarnational. I have certainly been conscious of this as we embark on a new season of ministry working in, through and alongside the church community at Elizabeth, and the City of Playford more broadly. In offering some initial reflections, I am all-too-aware that I have a lot of listening and learning to do from people who are far more aware and experienced about life in the north. One of my early observations is how resourceful, resilient and capable northerners are, very much best placed to prayerfully consider and create avenues of ministry most appropriate to the diverse and distinctive neighbourhoods and developments in this part of Adelaide. If I had to sum up my first impressions, it would be in terms of ‘real people, in the midst of real life, witnessing to real hope’. There is no room for
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pretence here, and an expectation that we will be up front and say it like it is–and even more, for me to hear it like it is! Yet the talk is backed up by action, and especially a willingness to accept people as they are, regardless of background or social status. It is a reflection of this that has led me to believe that one of the most valuable dimensions to being a church in the north is to be a community that offers sanctuary and refuge, whether in social or spiritual terms, or just in the midst of the busyness and challenges of life. The church as community, looking out for one another and with a generosity of spirit, is true to our calling to ‘be church’ as much as we ‘do’ church. So as a missionary seeks to observe and engage with the identity and character of each mission field, what do I see as some of the notable attributes of mission and ministry in the north? For a start, mission is in the DNA of the Anglican presence in Elizabeth, with a ‘pioneering spirit’ rightly describing the approach to ministry from day one. The vision of the St. Peter’s College Mission 60 years ago enabled the establishment of facilities and (even more importantly) a Missioner to engage and serve the
newly created neighbourhoods and town centre at Elizabeth. When the first Mission was relocated from Moore Street, Adelaide to Elizabeth Way in
We need to be reminded that Anglicanism at its best is pioneering and missional, and was so from the outset. 1957, the Mission Hall was a significant feature of the emerging community, located literally in the surrounding open fields and paddocks. The founding Missioner was the energetic Rev’d Howell Witt (later Bishop of North West Australia, 196581). Witt left a lasting legacy, not least in his example of innovation and imagination, and a willingness to have a go and learn from the experience (if nothing else, it supplied many a good yarn for which he is rightly remembered!) I feel privileged to follow in his footsteps, as well as those who continued ministry in this context. We need to be reminded that Anglicanism at its best is pioneering and missional, and was so from the outset. Being Anglican in the 21st century may well learn from pioneering expressions of Anglican mission from the past.
