World Vision is facilitating a strategic workshop on behalf of the Anglican Church of Melanesia (ACOM) with the aim to help develop a framework and a three year implementation plan that will provide direction and enable the ACOM to effectively implement its programs and activities envisioned under the ACOM strategic plan 2014-2016 that was approved by the Executive Council in November 2013.
The three (3) days workshop starting on Tuesday 03rd February was held at the St Barnabas Cathedral Melanesian Haus.
The workshop brings together around Thirty two (32) Diocesan Secretaries, Vicar Generals and heads of various departments and institutions, from nine (9) dioceses including two dioceses in Vanuatu.
In his opening remarks, the Archbishop of Anglican Church of Melanesia, the Most Reverend David Vunagi urged all the workshop participants to learn as much as they can to grasp the knowledge and skills required to translate strategic priorities relevant for each office into actionable activities.
“It is all of us together moving the church from where we are to where we want to be,” says the Archbishop.
“And we are fortunate and pleased that World Vision is sharing their expertise with us to help us move forward”.
ACOM’s mission is to be a faithful part of Christ’s Body through exercising its baptismal ministries of: spreading the Good News of God’s Love in Jesus Christ, being like Christ in thought, word and action, worshiping God in spirit and truth; using wisely and taking good care of the natural resources and environment as well as all things entrusted for the extension of God’s kingdom in the world and demonstrating God’s love in responding to human needs in loving service.
The workshop is funded by the church itself with World Vision providing expertise.
“It is our pleasure to work in partnership with churches in providing capacity building,” says Mr. Janes Ginting, World Vision Solomon Islands Country Director.
World Vision partners with ACOM to address many issues that are affecting our country including ‘Gender Based Violence’ issues in the Solomon Islands through the Channels of Hope for Gender project where it equip church leaders to address gender based violence in their churches and communities. Channels of Hope is designed to engage people in a manner that challenges attitudes and behaviours towards women that perpetuate gender based violence and motivates a sustained and effective response to issues that threaten the wellbeing of communities. Gender-based violence is a major issue in the Solomon Islands and needs to be stopped.