Discipleship
Our vision as a diocese is that we seek to become a rejuvenating community of Jesus-centred, kingdom-seeking disciples. This ensures that we see the deepest identity of the church as a place where we make disciples.
Our definition of discipleship is that we become life long learners, following Jesus and seeking to:
- Be with Jesus
- Become like him
- Do as he did
We believe that Jesus calls us to abundant life, filled with the fruit of his Holy Spirit. This is a challenging path for us to tread and calls for commitment and self-sacrifice. This is a calling into community where we can be supported, encouraged and held accountable.
As disciples we will encourage all church members:
- to gather for Worship,
- to Grow in faith,
- to Serve the body of the church and the wider community,
- to Connect in fellowship with other believers and
- to Give generously of time, talents and financial treasures to enable the Kingdom to grow.
To enable discipleship we have started our Cairns initiative where we form small groups who pray, eat and study together. We have also provided information on adopting a Rule Life which helps us develop positive practices for intentional discipleship.
Discipleship and our diocesan strategy
Part of our overall diocesan strategy includes a deepening of our discipleship and our sense of calling towards being part of God's mission. In terms of how our diocesan strategy is framed, our REJUVENATING strategy aims to place children and young people at the heart of our planning, and also seeks to REVIVE, REVITALISE and RENEW our network of parishes, chaplaincies and church schools. Creating thriving churches with an emphasis on children and young people is a watermark that runs through these parts of our strategy.
We believe that deepening discipleship happens most effectively within Cairns - small groups to eat, pray and study together with those who we trust and are accountable to. Our diocese is creating a network of Cairns to support clergy in their personal discipleship, to encourage them in mission and to allow them to be accountable in their discipleship. To find out more about Cairns, click here.
Theological Education Courses and Evangelism Resources
We have a number of courses available to assist a parish in sharing the Gospel.
View course list
Growing Faith
Our bishop Bishop Jonathan, has already highlighted that he will prioritise our work with children, young people and young adults. As part of that, he has indicated that our diocese will be involved in a national project that brings together schools churches and households. It is called ‘Growing Faith’, and you can read more about our involvement with it here.
