Bishop Malcolm’s letter for Essentials conference 2004

 

In September 2001, I began my new ministry as the roving Ambassador for Anglican Renewal Ministries, Canada. I sometimes refer to this travelling ministry as being "on the old sawdust trail". That trail has now taken me to twenty-four dioceses and into a large number of Anglican settings from coast to coast for a variety of renewal events.

    

My constant theme has been one of rekindling the fire in the fireplace of Anglicanism. A fireplace is indeed designed to foster a blaze and likewise our faith communities are meant to be on fire for our Lord. My whole ministry is really all about helping clergy and parishioners rekindle those vital flames of Pentecost so that the church can become what God has always intend it to be---"Aglow in the Spirit". In fact the overall mission of ARM is "To help people discover the fullness of their life in Jesus Christ, in which they experience the release of the Holy Spirit and his gifts for ministry"

 

I am now working on my itinerary for 2005 and I welcome any inquiries or invitations. To help you in discerning God's will for an ARM event in your parish or diocese I am listing below some of the areas in which I am prepared to offer teaching:

 

Evangelism  - Motive, message and biblical foundations. This would also include a presentation on Personal or Friendship Evangelism with some practical guidelines.

 

A look at the Local Parish as an Evangelizing Community  -The church that God can use for evangelism. This includes a solid look at what I have discovered in my travels to be the "Ten Vital Signs of a Healthy Anglican Parish". Helping a parish large or small to evalute its potential for evangelism.

 

The Personal, Corporate and Public Dimensions of our Faith Journey  -This includes the basic call to Christ, the call to live out our faith in Christian community and the call to reach out in servant ministry into the wider community.

 

Christian Community  - A more in-depth look at life within the Body of Christ, parish cell groups (weekly small group parish getherings), how to form and lead such groups, gift identification for all parishioners (all crew and no passengers), empowering lay leadership and ministry, and cultivating a servant heart for effective ministry.

 

Spiritual Gifts  - Identification, description, discernment and use within the church.

 

Leadership for Clergy  - Styles of leadership which are conducive to parish growth, the parish priest as an enabler and equipper, new models of ministry including all of the baptized---Total Ministry.

 

Bible Study  - Examining and demonstrating small non-threatening bible studies using an aboriginal circle method.

 

The Person, Power and Release of the Holy Spirit  -Experiencing a "Personal Pentecost".

 

My own personal Journey of Faith

 

If any of the above whets your spiritual appetite please contact me and together we can prayerfully discern where the Lord may be leading. I can be reached in Brandon, Manitoba at Tel: 204-726-5738,  Email:  mharding@mts.net

 

Blessings, 

Bishop Malcolm Harding  Ambassador, Anglican Renewal Ministries, Canada