(A report from the Standing Committee.)

Introduction

1. By resolution 15/98 the Synod requested a number of things in response to the Presidential Address.

Protection of Rights of Christians and Other Religious Minorities

2. The Standing Committee was requested to urge appropriate Governments and diplomatic sources to protect the rights of Christians and other religious minorities in Pakistan, The Sudan and Nigeria. We asked the Archbishop to write these letters on our behalf.

Humanitarian Aid

3. The Standing Committee was requested to give consideration to persuading the Federal Government to increase its level of humanitarian aid and development assistance equivalent to the United Nations specified level of 0.7% of gross domestic products.

4. We referred this matter to the Archbishop's Overseas Relief Fund Committee for its suggestions as to the action the Archbishop and Standing Committee might take to progress this matter. We are awaiting a report.

Inter-Church Links

5. The Archbishop and his episcopal and other colleagues were encouraged to initiate and foster firm links with Anglican churches in the Asia-Pacific Region, the African Continent and South America other Australian Dioceses as well as the wider Anglican communion. The Synod also suggested to the Archbishop and to the Standing Committee that an investigation be undertaken of the possibility of setting up "companion link dioceses" arrangements between Sydney and any appropriate dioceses, including at least one in South East Asia and one on the African Continent.

6. The Archbishop advised that he has asked Bishop Paul Barnett to appoint a committee to liaise him about the best way to advance this matter.

7. The Archbishop has also had discussions with the Rev Stephen Williams concerning co-operation and assistance to a diocese in Uganda. (Stephen was ordained in Uganda.) The Archbishop has encouraged Stephen in his plans to teach for a time in Uganda. He is leaving at the end of September to commence teaching Old Testament in the Uganda Christian University to those training for leadership in the Ugandan Church. Stephen will also visit theological colleges and several dioceses of the province.

8. Bishop Smith visited Archbishop Moses Tay in Singapore in July and Sabah.

9. Bishop Piper visited the Diocese of Sabah on his return from Lambeth and arranged a very successful visit by Bishop & Mrs Yong Ping Chung to Sydney in July. Exchange of clergy is being discussed.

10. The Archbishop hosted visits from Bishop Pie Ntukamazina from Burundi and Bishop Alexis Balindabagardo of Gahini, Rwanda.

11. The Companion Link Dioceses Committee reported to the Archbishop at the end of February. They saw that it was important to recognise links which already existed and to formalise these when appropriate. The Committee believes that real networking can be developed to be of mutual benefit especially between conservative Anglicans.

12. The feasibility of linking one diocese with each Sydney Region should be tested.

13. Bishop Maurice Sinclair from Argentina is keen to foster links between Sydney and his diocese. Youthworks has suggested that Sydney might sponsor a trainee in Youth Ministry from Argentina. Already there has been an exchange of correspondence concerning ways links can be established which would make some of our resources available to Argentina.

14. The Archbishop is himself actively pursuing 'links' with several dioceses in Africa, Asia and South America. These may develop in some more formalised fashion in time.

15. Detailed consideration of the report is scheduled after Synod.

Archbishop's Growth Goals

16. Regional councils were requested to report to the first session of the 45th Synod on strategies they have put in place and any progress they have made toward realisation of the Archbishop's Growth Goals of 15% by the year 2001.

17. We asked each regional council for a report. Annexed are copies of the reports from the Western Sydney and Wollongong Regional Councils. Reports were not received from the other regional councils.

For and on behalf of the Standing Committee

MARK PAYNE
Diocesan Secretary
24 September 1999

Annexure 1

Archbishop's Growth Goals

Response of the Western Sydney Regional Council

Background

1. Western Sydney has some significant opportunities. Although Australia's population is aging and particularly the Anglican Denomination has one third of its attenders over the age of sixty, the Western Sydney Anglican Region has a large proportion of attenders in the 30-49 age range. In addition our region has significant population growth, especially in the "family" aged segments as new housing areas are released for development.

2. Our region has been established for nearly 30 years, and our Regional Council has a well established committee and task force structure which have developed strategies, in place for a number of years.

Strategies

Regional Strategy

3. All Regional activities, financial allocations and decisions should serve our mission statement....

Support and Encourage Evangelism and Discipleship.

This mission statement is communicated regularly to parishes, which we view as the primary focus and provider of ministry in our region.

Parish Strategic Planning
4. Each parish is encouraged to develop a strategic ministry plan for their area. The Regional Council has now established a process which makes available to parishes a strategic planning consultant to assist in the development of parish strategic plans. Regional Council Grants are dependant upon a strategic plan being included as part of the application process.

New Housing Developments
5. The North Western Sector of our region around Rouse Hill has received special focus. Representatives from the parishes concerned have been meeting regularly for over 5 years to develop the plan for a new regional church centre, in concert with the Anglican Schools Commission and Anglicare and taking advantage of the projected population development.

Team Ministry in "New Parishes"
6. One key strategy has been to provide grants to found team ministry in newly established parishes. Hence a priority of Regional Grant allocations is providing full time second worker at each Vision for Growth and Vision 2001 parish.

Revitalising Established Areas
7. The Parramatta Deanery has seen a number of strategic amalgamations. The Woodville Road pilot study (1991) has now become a reality as the four parishes have become a single entity. Parramatta North have amalgamated with Harris Park. The aim was to revitalise struggling churches with a new vision. The strategy resulted in the freeing of under utilised resources, the replacement of survival mind sets with a mission emphasis and providing for the development of specialisation in ministry.

Assisting "Struggling" Parishes
8. The Regional Council has established a Parish Review and Support Team. They provide counsel and advice to parishes who find themselves in circumstances of financial strain.

Tertiary Education
9. Our region has consistently supported the chaplaincy work in Western Sydney University. The strategic importance of this ministry is long demonstrated in the Diocese as a whole. A distinctive feature of our region has been to pioneer ministry on TAFE campuses as well. This is aiming to maximise the opportunity to reach the trade based population of our region with gospel ministry.

Cross Cultural Ministry
10. Western Sydney has targeted Chinese Ministry in the Parramatta region with three congregations established. In addition we directly support work amongst the Turkish of our region. The council supported the establishment of bible ministry to second generation migrants at Rooty Hill.

Aboriginal Ministry
11. An aboriginal congregation is being raised up in conjunction with the Archbishop's Task Force. The church building at Tregear has been available and a full time pastor has been appointed to reach a significant indigenous population.

Training
12. Regular training courses are arranged through the Bishop's office for clergy and lay folk. The Regional Council is investigating the establishment of an institute of lay training.

Results

Numerical Growth
13. Parochial Statistics for 1997 report a 15% growth rate for one year ie 1996: 10021; 1997: 11534. Removing some anomalies the annual rate would be closer to 4.5% ie 1996: 10777; 1997: 11255.

14. Early indications suggest that a superior growth rate was observed during 1998.

15. Some particular highlights are the substantial growth in attendance: at a new church centre - Glenmore Park; in the parishes who have amalgamated Woodville Road and North Parramatta with Harris Park; at a parish who has extended their building - Wilberforce; at a parish initiating a Sunday ministry off site - Springwood; and at the Multi Cultural Bible Ministries Rooty Hill.

16. The Chinese congregations at Parramatta, Auburn and Lidcombe are now well established and achieving consistent growth.

Tertiary Results
17. The University Ministry has seen 8 of its' "graduates" prepare for full time ministry in the last 5 years. The TAFE Ministry has seen 12 people converted in the last 2 years and has established a regular weekly ministry on two campuses in the region.

Ministry Development
18. Though hard to quantify the actual results, the following observations can be made: Well attended monthly training events organised by the Bishop, the development of specialised team ministry in the parishes who amalgamated with a corresponding turn around in attitude from maintenance ministry to mission, a number of parishes are devising strategic plans reflected by a growth in loan applications for building extensions and grant applications for new and innovative ministry projects.

Conclusion

19. The parishes of the Western Region are on track to exceed the Archbishop's growth goals by 2001. However the population growth in our region provides us with a potential advantage over the other regions. There are still many challenges through out our region and we are energetically refining and developing strategies to further the Kingdom of God in the area where he has placed us.

For the Western Sydney Regional Council

BRIAN KING
Bishop of Western Sydney
24 September 1999

Annexure 2

Archbishop's Growth Goals

Response of the Wollongong Regional Council

1. The Region has endeavoured to embrace all the Archbishop's goals in its planning processes but in particular the increase in attendances has gained prominence.

2. The Wollongong Regional Council has funded a number of strategic ministries in growing areas around the Region and has funded a full-time Cross Cultural Worker and supported ESL classes on a similar basis. Within the Region we are aiming for a 7% growth by the end of 1999 and other activities have included the promotion of our Regional Men's Conference at Albion Park, the Katoomba Men's Convention, exploring opportunities for ministry amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders by the promotion of an "Awareness" Seminar to be held in July this year with John Harris as the keynote speaker.

3. The Region has also given active financial support to parishes in mission areas to support the work that may, in other circumstances, be hard to sustain. The Bishop has also maintained his program of Bible Talks in each of the Deaneries over the years.

4. In regard to Youth and Children's Ministries, the Regional Council has provided grants for the employment of a Deanery Youth Consultant for the Macarthur, an area that has a very large number of people under the age of 19 and has also strongly supported the Regional Youth Conference held each year, which focuses on Youth Ministry and Training. Grant money has also been provided to substantially assist the employment of Chaplains at the University of Wollongong and the Campbelltown Campus of the University of Western Sydney. In addition, the Regional SRE Worker has been encouraged and continues to work in schools within the Region.

GEOFF KYNGDON
Assistant to the Bishop of Wollongong
13 September 1999