Melbourne gets introduced to God

The Rev Mark Hanson, Vicar of Croydon Hills and Wonga Park, was trying to encourage some key lay leaders to think strategically about church growth, so when he saw an advertisement for an information session on Introducing God, the evangelism course written by the Rev Dominic Steele of St Aidan’s, Annandale, he suggested they go along.

“The lay leaders really ran with the program,” Mark says. “It’s not a clergy-centred thing at all, it’s much more for the congregation as a whole.”

Mark says he’s excited by the opportunity to allow others to participate in the ministry of the church.

“We sat down this time last year with a dozen people from my congregation to do the training, and from that emerged about eight people to go forward from it, able to be table leaders, to be enthusiastic.”

The response to the first round of the course was good, Mark says, attracting back members who hadn’t attended regularly, and family members of those who did attend who were curious.

Mark believes Introducing God would be useful for parishes of many different traditions. “It’s not at all presumptuous or arrogant in any way. It’s not ramming anything down anyone’s throat. By its very nature it starts with an invitation.”

Stuart Lenthall, like many people in his age group, drifted away from the church in his late teens and was wary of courses designed to bring him back. Now he’s spending his summer holidays helping the technical team at CMS Summer School, he’s keen to use his talents for God, and he gives Introducing God a lot of the credit.

“Introducing God was a very hands-off approach,” Stuart says. “It’s more aligned towards creating a comfortable atmosphere to discuss the issues.

“I felt like there was someone always looking over my shoulder and looking out for me. I’ve started praying again, and I’m attending church regularly. I’ve noticed some lifestyle changes in myself – I’m becoming a lot more patient, and easier to get along with.”

This article is by Jane Still and first appeared in The Melbourne Anglican, February 2007 edition. 

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