We've reached a very important moment. We're hoping to launch our Casting the Net programme at Pentecost in every church at the same time. There will be special worship and nets for everybody. It's about turning outwards in mission - about being orientated for growth. Essentially it's about trusting in God - we cast the net in obedience to the insistent command of Jesus and trust to him for what it catches.
Casting the Net is essentially a programme of congregational development - looking at ourselves and our future under God - looking at ourselves in the context of the world into which we carry the mission of Christ. It invites us to explore the spiritual journey or pilgrimage in which we are engaged. But it needs to be more than just a programme floating on the top of diocesan life. What we are trying to do is to re-organise the whole of diocesan life so that it all faces towards mission and growth. We're preparing training for lay ministry and work with children and young people. We're re-organising our diocesan structures so that they too will serve mission and growth.
In other words, the programme is going to affect every aspect of life in the diocese. There will be resources shared among us, enabling us to realise even more than we do already how we are all part of the one whole, part of the one net.
Casting the Net has as its foundations the Nine Marks of Mission, details of which are set out elsewhere (see below). Although there is not scheduled to be another issue of the Newsletter before Pentecost, further information about the programme and the launch - and what we shall be doing with the nets the diocese is supplying - in due course.
In the Diocese of St Andrews, Dunkeld and Dunblane the Nine Marks of Mission are:
1. Worship that renews and inspires,
embracing the rich variety of our traditions
2. Transformed lives and communities,
through receiving the Good News of Jesus Christ
3. Lifelong Christian nurture:
deepening the knowledge of God in our lives
4. Reaching out to children and young people,
because mission-shaped churches seek to engage with children and young people
5. Rooted in prayer, word and sacrament:
experiencing God and his will for us
6. The welcome of newcomers and celebration of life events:
helping newcomers become part of the life of the church and making the most of special occasions
7. Sharing faith by confident and sensitive evangelism,
witnessing to God's presence and power
8. Serving the community in practical ways,
reaching out to others, especially those in need
9. Ready to seek growth
and Cast the Net