This document summarizes the key topics discussed at the Anglican Diocese of Toronto Clergy Conference on May 14, 2012. It discusses how views of mission and the church have changed over the past 25 years, with mission now seen as God's mission in which the church participates rather than the church having its own separate mission. It also examines what the gospel is, defined as God's work to renew the world through Jesus Christ. Finally, it raises questions about evangelism, wondering where it starts and how individuals and congregations have been changed by God and can share those changes with others.

1. Anglican Diocese of Toronto
Clergy Conference
May 14, 2012

2. cultural changes of the past
25 years . . .
Like the change from navigating
the roads to . . . . . . navigating the oceans
2

3. How we think about mission
We begin with church as it is, as we have experienced
it, as we assume it has always been
We assume that God likes the way church is done at
present, and does not want or need any big changes
We assume therefore that “mission” means getting
people into church as it is

4. What is the Gospel?
The Creator has not given up on our
world, but is at work to renew the
world and put everything to rights.
The heart of God’s work in the world
is the life, death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ.
This is the missio dei—
the mission of God.

5. It’s not that the church of God
has a mission in the world,
but that
the God of mission
has a church in the world

6. St. George the Martyr Church, Toronto

7. St. David Anglican-Lutheran Congregation, Orillia

8. THE ANXIETY

9. Conversation with Gary:
Barrie Community Health Centre

10. John Welch , Seasons of the Heart:
‘What do men and women in our parishes, our retreat
houses, in counselling want? Everything! Count on
it, and minister to it. And we say to ourselves and to
them, that the hunger within us is so deep and
powerful that, acknowledged or not, only God is
sufficient food. When Jesus preached the present and
coming Reign of God he was speaking precisely to the
deep desires, the holy longing, in the hearts of his
listeners.’ (pg. 4)

11. Opportunity: EVANGELISM
But where does evangelism start?

12. Why are We HERE?
Why NOW?
How have I been changed? How have we been
changed?
What is God doing in us that needs to be shared?
How do we share it?
What gifts has God given me to offer / us to
offer?

13. Trinity Church, Streetsville