Chester Diocese
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An Evangelism Network for our Diocese
AN Evangelism Network is being set up in our Diocese. A launch event is planned for summer, and the keynote speaker will be the new Chief Executive of the Church Army, Mark Russell. The Network is being organised by Diocesan Evangelism and Lay Training officer, the Revd Ian Enticott, and Diocesan Parish Mission Development Officer, the Revd Richard Burton. The project hopes to establish: • An organised resource of people – both lay and clergy – who have interests and skills in evangelism, including our established parish evangelists. • Two meetings a year of the Network: one that allows members a chance for fellowship (because parish evangelists, particularly, can feel isolated) and to share experiences; and a second meeting featuring a national speaker who can keep members up-to-date with UK-wide developments. • A database of those with evangelism skills. • A database of inspiring stories which can be used to spread the faith. The Revd Ian Enticott said: “We want to show that Christianity is still very much alive and very relevant to all our lives. “Though we live in a highly materialist and consumerist culture, there is a great spiritual hunger among the population. “By the efforts of our Network, we want to do what the Church has always done – to bring Christ to the people – and to do that with renewed confidence and vigour.” The Revd Richard Burton added: “Parishes around the Diocese are looking to have a week or weekend of mission in the coming year and it is hoped the Evangelism Network can provide resources.” For the Church Army, Mark Russell said: “How marvellous to see a real commitment to evangelism. I hope the new Network in the Diocese of Chester can attract and mobilise what I’ve come to call ‘loyal radicals’ for the Church of England – people who can see that the Church seems cumbersome, bureaucratic, and slow-moving, but who dream it can be something different. “Rather than going off somewhere else, loyal radical evangelists roll up their sleeves and do all they can to make things different. They dream of a Church more passionate, more exciting, more relevant and more mission-shaped.” The Evangelism Network will be launched on Sat 9 Jun at the Fourways Inn, Delamere. Anyone interested in attending should phone the Revd Ian Enticott on 01829 751472 or email him at ian.enticott@chester.anglican.org
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Mark Russell, Chief Executive of the Church Army
The Revd Ian Enticott
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