| The East Tennessee Episcopalian October 2000 |
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| A Message
From the Bishop
One of the most exciting resolutions from General Convention was entitled "20 / 20: A Clear Vision." Its challenge to the Church is to double our number of members by the year 2020. Enabling resolutions provide suggestions for resources and for new perspectives that will encourage us to focus attention on our Lord's Great Commission, to "go and make disciples." Our present churches will need to pay attention to evangelism - bringing in new members - and to welcoming and incorporating newcomers. It is exciting to me that our Middle East Area Mission Team has identified those tasks as prominent matters for their attention and for what they plan to share with the rest of the Diocese. Indeed, our present churches must grow significantly if we are to accomplish the goal of "20 / 20." The harvest, though, is plentiful, for we read that approximately one-third of the people within our diocesan borders are "unchurched" - or, have no church home. In addition, though, East Tennessee needs to respond to our Lord's call by planting new churches. Nationally, the Episcopal Church has grown most effectively through establishing new communities of faith. Our Bishop and Council has taken a significant step in anticipation of the financial demands of beginning new churches. As part of the Opportunity Fund, we now have a "Mission Growth Fund", which is specifically identified as a source of funds for buying land and for constructing buildings for new churches. Within the next several months - and following the times of local church annual campaigns - we will be sending to all members of our mailing list additional information about this fund. However, at this point, I simply want to introduce you to the concept. I invite you to consider making a yearly contribution - on your birthday or on some other occasion - to the Mission Growth Fund. Perhaps you might decide on an annual gift of $10, or $1 for each year of life, or whatever you wish. I encourage you to think about larger gifts if you are able. However, I hope that every Episcopalian in East Tennessee will want to take some tangible part in our diocesan response to the Great Commission. The goal of doubling our membership in the next twenty years is surely an ambitious one. However, if figures on church participation in East Tennessee are correct, then we certainly have a great many people to work with, to encourage, and to invite! Our best efforts and our prayers and our money all will be required, but if our Lord calls us to this task, I am convinced that He will show us the way. Finally, I remind you again of our diocesan statement of vision: The Diocese of East Tennessee is one Church. We are called to love in the name of Jesus Christ and to grow in people and in resources for ministry and for mission. We anticipate miracles, as God works through us! Faithfully
yours, |
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Dear
Friends,
