Sharing Good news
Janet Russell - Director of Mission for the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon at the Ministry and Mission Festival 2011
Sharing Good News
When I go on holiday abroad I am amazed by how tourists delight in sharing useful information; the easiest way to get from A to B, places that just have to be seen, where to find the best food. We swap our bits of news and there is real life and energy to our conversations.
When it comes to sharing our faith though, especially on home ground, we often hold back.
It isn’t like that in John’s gospel. Andrew meets Jesus and the first thing he does is to go and bring his brother Simon to meet Jesus. It is the same story for Philip – who fetches Nathanael – and for the Samaritan woman who after a conversation with Jesus (which turns her life inside out) brings her whole village to Jesus.
In John’s gospel, when ‘seekers’ meet Jesus, they are changed by him. They long to know him more, they share their good news and encourage others to come and meet him too.
My primary role as Director of Mission is to make it easier for clergy and people to help others to meet Jesus and, having met him, to become his disciples. It’s about enabling churches to discern their vision; encouraging connections between faith and work, faith and service, and faith and fun. It is working with church leaders to affirm and strengthen their mission. It means helping people to rediscover a ‘living faith’ – news that is worth sharing with others in word and deed.
Here are some of the ways in which I am available to help:
• Working with parishes and deaneries (about ‘Welcome’ or ‘Sharing faith’ for example)
• Helping churches discern God’s vision for them
• Helping churches make changes
• As a speaker for guest services or mission events
• Leading parish weekends
If you would like to talk to me about any of these things, you can contact me at the Diocesan Office in Brecon on 01874 623 716 or by email at janetrussell@churchinwales.org.uk
I look forward to hearing from you!
Janet Russell
Director of Mission for the Diocese of Swansea and Brecon