The Diocesan initiative, "Venturing in Mission" was launched in 2005 as a response to the Sir David Rowe-Beddoe report on the future of the Church in Wales. In his address to the Representative Body in 2004 before the process of review had begun, Sir David said:
"We
are not under any illusion that in the years ahead we will face difficult
choices and serious challenges as we tackle the financial and ministerial
implications of falling numbers worshipping in Church in Wales church buildings,
the issue of clerical deployment and the number of church buildings, as well as
the challenge of striving towards the Gospel imperative for us to preach the
Good News.” “What remains very clear is the importance of partnership within the
Church in Wales—without active and positive cooperation between clergy and
laity, dioceses and the province, parishes and bishops, we cannot hope to tackle
the very real challenges that confront the Church in Wales.”
In 2006 the Diocese committed itself to Venture in Mission and the then Bishop, Carl Cooper, outlined seven characteristics of what this post 'RB' Report church might look like; a church that would be 'Venturing in Mission':
A Catholic Church with a local
focus
A Worshipping Church
A Serving Church
An Evangelising Church
A Cooperating Church
A Collaborating Church
A Venturing Church
The Parish of Abergwili is committed to playing it's part in building a church which understands mission in the local sense and is constantly looking for new areas to explore and develop, "taking faithful risks in our attempts to break new ground for God."
