Archbishop of Canterbury Outlines Christian Navigation Principles

Twelve New Church Army Evangelists Sent Out

Introducing a nautical theme in Sheffield Cathedral last week (Wednesday 4 July), the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr George Carey) offered some advice to four women and eight men who had just completed their training at Church Army's Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism. He said: "Let me share with all of you some principles of Christian navigation that will help you steer your way through the shoals of indifference and the storms of crisis that will undoubtedly be part of your journey."

The following day (Thursday 5 July), the group were Commissioned in Church Army by Chief Secretary Philip Johanson at the Wilson Carlile College of Evangelism in Sheffield

 

The Archbishop of Canterbury and Mrs Carey, Captain Philip Johanson, Chief Secretary of Church Army and Gerry Bowyer who with eleven other Church Army Officers were admitted to the Office of Evangelism at a Service at Sheffield Cathedral.

 

 

 

The Archbishop was Admitting the 12 to the Church's Office of Evangelist and in warning them that their ministry was "an urgent work" and "a difficult work", he also stressed that "Christ's work is a joyful work".

He continued: "We live in a world of too little and too much. Sometimes the deprivation with which people live makes it difficult for us to reach them. Sometimes the relative plenty of their lives erects a different kind of barrier…….all at times can have the effect of pushing the Church from the centre of living to the outskirts of life. It has made Christian mission a daunting and most challenging task."

The Archbishop reminded the packed congregation that Church Army's founder, Prebendary Wilson Carlile, discovered ways of connecting with ordinary people not being reached by the institutional church.

In conclusion, Dr Carey said: "If you are faithful to this commission, you will be like that great ocean going captain who daily checks that he knows the basics; constantly going back to fundamentals. And when we constantly check our navigation by reference to Jesus Christ, who sends us out into mission, we can and should expect his blessing."

Philip Johanson stressed that the call of Jesus to His disciples was to "live a radical life-style and travel light". Although the Church had trained people for leadership, they had not necessarily been trained for collaborative ministry or warned of the possible isolation to come. There was a danger that with the shortage of clergy and finance, people resources would be even more stretched. Perhaps the Bishop of Coventry was right when he told his clergy: "Do less and do it better."

As an illustration of collaboration, he said 65 full-time Evangelists had been appointed by Wilson Carlile three years after founding Church Army in 1882, and they were assisted by 6,000 communicant volunteers. He added: "There's challenge to mobilise others in outreach."

The 12 included a train conductor, an HGV driver, a computer technician, an insurance company director, owner of an auto engineering business, child minder, builder, nursery nurse, drop-in centre manager.