Report to the Church 2015 | Page 15

HOW CAN WE, TOGETHER, SEEK AND PROCLAIM THE KINGDOM OF GOD? We provide matching grants of up to $100,000 for new-church starts and up-to $20,000 for starting Mission Enterprise Zones. In the current triennium, we have worked with local networks of Episcopalians to seed nearly 40 new ministries and church plants. To date this triennium, we’ve awarded nearly $1.7 million in grants for this purpose, which when leveraged with matching funds, makes nearly $3.5 million available to accomplish the General Convention’s stated priority of starting new worshiping communities. In partnership with Lutherans, the Missionary Society is supporting these ministry starts in fresh and innovative ways. (By contrast, in the entire 2010-2012 triennium, The Episcopal Church saw only 11 new-church starts, with no financial support from churchwide resources.) Together, we are building a churchwide movement for new-ministry development in a world longing for the gospel more than ever. Evangelism in the 21st century also means the ability to communicate effectively, and engage the passion of the wider world, through a variety of new and traditional platforms. As never before, the Missionary Society is not only networking and supporting Episcopalians working to proclaim the Good News, but offering a variety of professionalcommunication services to dioceses and congregations seeking to tell the story in their local contexts. Whether a community is seeking an affordable first-rate website, consultation on public relations, or professional-video production to support evangelism efforts, the chances are good the Missionary Society can partner with you. 15