Bishop encourages new evangelists to grow communities

Brett Price, Kate Hatton, Peter Bone, Lynne Bone, Jon Price and Nikki Thornhill were commissioned by Church Army during a service at Sheffield Cathedral on Wednesday

Bishop Steven Croft said in an address that "the church has never needed Church Army more than now".

He encouraged the evangelists with seven lessons as they prepare to share their faith through words and action.

The lessons were offered for each day of the week, beginning with the Sabbath.

"On Sundays remember that you are sent out by Jesus, just as he sent out seventy disciples, and has been sending people ever since," said Bishop Croft.

He said the evangelists should take note on Monday of the many people setting off for their daily work as a reminder that they are not sent out alone.

"Jesus sent out the seventy, two by two. So make finding colleagues who can support you in your ministry your first act," he said.

On Tuesdays, he urged the evangelists to remember that bringing people to Christ was not their own mission, but rather that they were being sent to "join in what God is already doing" and "share in the great mission of God".

In the latter half of the week, the bishop said the evangelists should renew their strength in the expectation of reaping a harvest and trust in the Lord's promise of provision.

He encouraged the evangelists to end the week on Saturday by reminding themselves that they have been sent out to establish new communities.

He told them: "The seventy were not called to bring their converts back to Jesus in Jerusalem. They were called to begin new communities and new churches in scores of different towns and cities. Communities which would grow through common meals, fellowship, the breaking of bread; through word and sacrament and prayers."