Industrial Mission encourages the whole church in South Yorkshire in its engagement with the world of work
Industrial Mission is part of the whole church's involvement in the economy. Lay people in their employment, local churches' activity in the community and church leaders speaking out on public issues all play their part in the total ministry. Contact with local churches and organisations at county level occupies about 25% of the Mission's total work
Staff
preach in churches of all the sponsoring denominations across South Yorkshire.
Volunteer Chaplains do so with their own congregation or circuit. Preaching is
an opportunity to reflect on the experiences gained through workplace visiting
and project work.
IMSY encourages churches to
put industrial issues on their agenda, in preaching and in prayer.
These concerns may be
focused in services for Industrial, Home Mission. Harvest Festival or
Unemployment Sundays. Staff design and lead these special services. When
invited they speak to church meetings, synods and committees about the work. A
copy of Lookout! is sent to every minister in South Yorkshire, with multiple
copies to those churches who appoint a Liaison person.
The training and support of lay people for their role in employment is a major concern of IMSY This is now being developed in the "Faith in Working Life" project in collaboration with the Diocese of Sheffield Training Team.
The
experience of IMSY in the workplace and in projects is highly relevant to the
whole church in understanding the issues of our society and in planning a
missionary strategy. This takes place through the Social Responsibility
Committees, Mission committees and similar bodies. It also occurs through staff
participation in circuit meetings, synods and other groupings.
IMSY's work with and for
unemployed people is done as part of Churches Together in South Yorkshire's
Unemployment Strategy group.
The
Northern Ordination Course and the Church Army Training College make regular use
of IMSY for placements. Staff contribute to Cliff College and the Church Army
College through industrial visits, lectures and the moderation of student
essays. They provide sessions on topics including "Ethical Decisions at
work" to the Anglican Pastoral Workers and Readers Training course.
IMSY's
Summer School for students of theology "Reflecting
on Industrial Society" is well established as the only major training
course linking industrial issues to Christian traditions. In 1996 it was
accredited by the University of Manchester and the University College of York
and Ripon St. John. In addition to students from residential and non
residential theological colleges, ordinands from two Swedish Dioceses also
participate.
