Mark Russell spells out the future for Church and Church Army

12 March 2009

In this week's issue of the  Church of Ireland Gazette (available from 13 March), Church Army's Chief Executive Mark Russell talks of his vision for the future of Christianity in this country.

Russell is adamant that a significant percentage of people in the UK and Ireland are very interested in spiritual matters. However, he is equally happy to state that many of them are simply bored by the very idea of Church.

He emphasises the need to make Jesus famous again, by highlighting the phenomenal and unique personality of a man "whose teaching still stands the test of time." Russell believes passionately that Christians can transform the Church by focusing on the "earth-shattering" words and action with which Jesus transformed history.

The stark statistic that seven out of ten people in England have never had any meaningful connection with the Church, which he also quotes, shows just how urgent the need for transformation has become.

In response to his own clarion call for change, Russell outlines how the transformation of Church Army is gaining momentum.

A recent working group report recommended that Church Army become a modern missionary Order of Evangelists. This idea has received the support of 94.5% of the membership, exceeding Russell's "most wildly optimistic moments", and paving the way for the future.

As an Order, Church Army would be able to build a substantial network of Evangelists from all walks of life, beyond just those who are paid to evangelise. An Order would stimulate the recruitment of younger people to Church Army, one of Russell's key targets, as well as enabling Evangelists who become ordained to retain their Church Army commission.

Russell also talks about the thorny issue of a name change; an issue he is happy to grasp. "Church Army as a name doesn't connect with this culture," he says, "it's past its sell-by date."

The transformation of evangelism is beginning.

For more on Mark Russell click here, and to read his speech to the Anglican Mission in the Americas click here, or his interview with the Church Times click here.