Board takes decisions in principle

Church Army's Board met last week in Sheffield to consider the future direction and shape of Church Army in the light of the changing mission context of the UK and Ireland and the Mission-shaped church report, recently considered by General Synod.

The Board affirmed that Church Army evangelists need to be "working outside church buildings and church culture, sitting loosely to it, working with those who have little or no meaningful relationship with the church, discovering ways of creating fresh and relevant expressions of Christian community."

Philip Johanson OBE, Church Army's Chief Secretary added: "I am very encouraged that the Board has affirmed that Church Army will move forward as a pioneering and risk taking organisation with a strong emphasis on sharing faith through words and action. Our work has been acknowledged by General Synod and I know we are focussed about making a real difference on the cutting edge."

Church Army works closely with a range of traditions to achieve its aim, including Baptists and Methodists and its projects and teams, and the Board regconises and values this breadth of diversity and experience.

The latest issue of  Shareit!- Church Army's magazine, was a special 'Mission-shaped church' issue and focussed on a range of pioneering projects in Grimsby, Belfast, Cardiff and Nottingham.

Board Chairman, Roy Totten, comments: "Over the coming months, a great deal of detailed work will be carried out to develop a draft implementation plan and appropriate timescale for making detailed changes to the organisation and structures of Church Army to enable it to respond even more effectively to the UK and Ireland's changing mission context."

For a summary of the future direction of Church Army click here