Deliverance is mission. It is not just about how we deal with individuals, but how we approach the whole nature of being the beating heart of our communities.
The Deliverance team has been totally reorganised to take on this wider perspective of mission and outreach. Looking at areas that affect every church, such as the history of the land and community; dealing with communities that are immersed in every form of spirituality; dealing with the powerful spiritual effects of community trauma; and understanding how your churchs history affects your mission today.
Within the church there needs to be much greater recognition and awareness of the dynamics of cursing and how to deal with it. The power of cursing seen in negativity, back biting, gossip, is rarely recognised, yet is highly destructive.
Deliverance is to our full humanity in Jesus, and needs to be part of every church's life. St. Pauls great summary of the scope of this ministry in Ephesians 6 reminds us that powers and principalities come in different forms, and cannot be relegated to something only a few engage with. Recognising this, the senior staff of the diocese are supporting and encouraging the wider scope of this ministry.
The ministry has been reorganised into three teams, each of approximately ten people, covering Lichfield and Wolverhampton, Salop, and Stafford episcopal areas. Please note that referrals are taken only from parish clergy, (or if not available the Rural Dean). This is because substantial pastoral follow up is often required. Clergy - please contact the team coordinators as follows:
Wolverhampton & Lichfield:The Revd Rod Clark (team leader) 01543 262254.
Salop: The Revd Anne Netherwood 01691 778495 (available after 7pm).