Category: 2023 Blog

Written by Rev. Melinda McMahon | National Director of SOMA Australia

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  It seemed like a new season for SOMA. Rev. Henry Blair had commenced as International Coordinator with SOMA UK and Rev. Andrew Allan-Johns, SOMA International Chair, had received advice that SOMA US was reluctant to participate in SOMA International missions.  The prospect of this later separation evoked concern and deep regret. So, Rev. Andrew called us to pause in listening prayer, to be guided by the Spirit of God as to how we should proceed in this new season.

    It was during this period of quietness that a scene from a movie, titled, “7 Yards. The Chris Norton Story”, I had watched a few weeks earlier, flashed before me.  Chris Norton, a young footballer, had become paralysed from the waist down after a life-altering tackle.  He was told by his doctors he would never walk again.

    Immediately I saw the connection between the movie and the current state of the global Anglican communion.

Are not the legs of Christ’s Anglican body inflicted with paralysis, suffering such serious nerve damage, that her ability to walk and run is impaired?

    The scene before me served as a reminder of the words a SOMA leader received in the early days of the formation of SOMA.  He had heard Jesus’ cry,

“I weep over my broken body. When one part of the body is in pain, the other parts do not feel the pain …”[1]

    It was precisely the pain of simmering friction within the global Anglican Communion in 1978 all those decades ago that prompted a prophetic word to form a ministry that would release the Holy Spirit to tend to the nervous system of the Anglican Church.

    However, it was not the scene of Chris Norton’s paralysed body that the Spirit quickened within me.  Rather it was the occasion when Chris awoke one morning with a noticeable sensation in his big toe.

    So marked was the tingling that his body pulsated with a sense of hope and anticipation. Could it be true? Would God be so gracious as to do a work of healing in his body? Might it be possible that his dream to walk his fiancé down the aisle in the coming months come true?

    And so it was. Hope fuelled faith, faith birthed perseverance, and after seven years of agonising physiotherapy, Chris’ dream became a reality.

In our current situation we might well ask:

How might the Spirit use SOMA to tend to the nerve damaged body of the Anglican Communion in this season?

    Over the past five decades SOMA teams have fulfilled their calling to be the means by which the Holy Spirit brings healing, reconciliation, renewal and revitalisation, to the body of Christ, and especially to those in most need.

    SOMA teams are, many ways, like the nerve fibres which bring the Holy Spirit’s healing and restoration to different members of Christ’s body.

    The scene quickened by the Spirit enabled me to glimpse the significance of SOMA International continuing its missions across the world.  Perhaps our continuance in bringing teams of Anglicans from various diocese to minister together in the power of the Spirit, might serve as a ‘tingling’ of hope to those of SOMA US, that the Lord Jesus would have his people continue sending His healing and restorative power to all members of the Anglican communion.

Is the Lord calling SOMA to be the fibres connecting the various members of Christ’s broken, injured body?

    From its conception, a core value of SOMA has been its reliance on intercessory prayer for the release of the Spirit’s power throughout the body of Christ.

    This call for prayer was highlighted at the most recent National Director’s meeting, when there was resounding agreement of the need for prayer to resume its rightful priority.  To that end, National Directors were challenged to raise up intercessory prayer co-ordinators in each of their home countries.

    However, Jesus taught us that there are situations when prayer alone may not be sufficient, when prayer needs to be accompanied by fasting.   For prayer and fasting enables the Lord to teach us humility, to inspire us towards justice, to release us from oppression, and to enrich our sense of generosity (Isaiah 58:6-10)

    The Lord’s promise is firm to those who fast in prayer:

“You will be given water when you are dry
 and your strength restored.

You will be like a well-watered garden,
like an ever-flowing spring. (v11b)

    Is not this the very season when the body of Christ needs her strength to be restored and her innermost parts to be healed?”

    In a recent conversation with John Wyndham, author of “From Everywhere to Everywhere: The Story of Sharing of Ministries Abroad”, I was reminded,

“Intercession is the foundation upon which SOMA’s ministry and mission are secured … in fact mission and ministry are the two legs that make it run.”

    So, let’s keep running and praying that the body of Christ might be nurtured and maintained as mission teams go forth across the world to build up Christ’s body.”[2]  During this Advent season of expectation of our Saviour’s return, let us “keep watch” and “be alert and pray for the coming of your Lord”.  As SOMA Missioners who have responded to the call of the Lord Jesus, let us continue to be the fibres through which the Holy Spirit brings healing and restoration to our broken world. Yours in the power of the Spirit, Rev. Mel

---

[1] From Everywhere to Everywhere, John Wyndham, page 23.

[2] John Wyndham, From Everywhere to Everywhere, page 136-137.

Report written by Rev. Melinda McMahon, Rector of Southlakes Anglican Church and National Director of SOMA Australia.

Victoria. Then travelled to Newcastle to spend some time with the saints of Southlakes Anglican Church.  As soon as he stepped off the plane in Newcastle, we drove up to the home of John Wyndham in Port Macquarie.

    Some may not be aware, John is a pioneer of SOMA Australia and the author of SOMA’s historic book “From Everywhere to Everywhere”. (A book which is available for purchase from SOMA’s website). We spent a delightful morning discussing various aspects of John’s account of the formation of SOMA.  John shared his prayers as he ‘passes on the mantle of anointing’ to the new SOMA teams and gave us many of the contacts he had established with SOMA supporters around the world.

    We then returned to Newcastle, Andrew was able to spend time with the saints in my own church, Southlakes Anglican, during which he preached at both our traditional service and more charismatic evening service we call, “Encountering God’s Power and Presence.”

    During the traditional service, I interviewed Rev. Andrew on some of the new initiatives SOMA International is introducing and next year’s mission to Tanzania (more on this below). Then Rev. Andrew preached from the first chapter of Ephesians on the church’s calling to demonstrate the kingdom of God through the ministry of healing. Rev. Andrew had several words of knowledge for healing for those present, which was a new experience for some. His visit inspired many of my parishioners to become more interested in SOMA, and encouraged me as I navigate the terrain of encouraging my somewhat traditional congregation to venture bravely towards Charismatic renewal.

SOMA Chair | Bishop Ian Lambert Reports
on the Healing Conference held recently in Melbourne:

The testimonies tell the story of our awesome God in action at the St Paul’s North Caulfield conference in November.

• “We saw God heal, almost everyone with a physical need, and as forgiveness was released, many received peace and inner healing. Demons were dealt with, and joy was abounding!”
• “This was amazing. God has completely changed my life!”
• “Wow, what a weekend! God poured out blessings to us all. I truly felt like I was drinking at a new well.”

    We commenced the weekend with an evening specifically for pastors/priests to provide an opportunity for them to worship, dine, network and fellowship together.

    On Friday we heard of the wonderful healing legacy at St Paul’s because of the faithful healing ministry initiatives by Rev. Hickson at the turn of last century. Each session had inspired worship which led us into God’s presence and prepared us to receive great messages of encouragement and teaching.

   Rev Dr Teresa Parish led each of the evening sessions and ministry times.  What an inspiring and lively time we enjoyed with Teresa!

   Rev Dr Mark Durie taught authoritatively on Healing and Deliverance and then on Life in the Spirit.  Bishop Ian Lambert shared stories around our supernatural God from his ministry and missions using Elijah and the prophets of Baal narrative. On Saturday Bp Ian dealt with the difficult subject of when healing doesn’t come, and forgiveness. On Saturday afternoon there were six workshops, including: establishing healing ministry in local church; navigating renewal in the local church; spiritual gifts; and deliverance ministry.

    St Paul’s were outstanding hosts, and the gathering ran seamlessly.  Indeed, the large bold billboard outside the church on the highway: “WE PRAY STUFF HAPPENS!” was true to its word.  The presence of God, the weight of His holiness – the kabod – was something to be experienced. People were healed, captives set free, words of knowledge, demons fled, and much weeping!  Nothing more powerful than when God’s presence rested heavily on the clergy as those present were prayed for.

   What outstanding young leaders in Rev Brendon and Virginia McDonald at St Paul’s, so ably supported by their lay folk.  Looking towards more of the same over the years to come – bodes well for the Anglican Church in Melbourne! Praise God.

Written by Reverend Melinda McMahon, Rector, Southlakes Anglican

What can I say? The opportunity to serve on team at the Northern Ireland International SOMA Mission was truly inspiring and encouraging.

It is now time to recount some of the highlights:

What is SOMA and how does it contribute to the worldwide Anglican Communion?

SOMA stands for Sharing of Ministries Abroad and was established around 1978.  During an Anglican international conference on spiritual renewal in 1978, a prophetic word given in Canterbury Cathedral formed the basis of Sharing of Ministries Abroad.

SOMA was formed to encourage, envision, empower, enable and equip the Anglican church, throughout the entire worldwide Anglican communion.  Interestingly, at our orientation day, Bishop David McClay added “evangelising” into the mix.  Some years ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, called SOMA “the nervous system of the body of Christ as it functions to connect us to the world and break down barriers.”  And this is done with a strong emphasis on the power of the Holy Spirit, and through using this Spiritual gifts.

The Mission Orientation day started on 1^st June with 59 Anglican team members from a diverse range of nations gathering for praise, worship, Holy Communion and Commissioning.  Bishop David McClay commissioned us before embarking on uplifting and encouraging about 30 parishes in Northern Ireland who had indicated their desire for a SOMA team to visit.

Which parishes did you visit?

I was allocated to visit three parishes over the two and a half week period.

Rathfriland –  The first parish was Drumgath and Drumgooland
at Rathfriland, (https://www.ireland.anglican.org/find-a-church/parish/12410/ drumgath-st-john-rathfriland) a rural parish with two congregations meeting in two separate church buildings.  Together with Jen, another female team member from Scotland, I stayed with Allan and Catherine, who opened their home and even lending me some of their daughter’s clothes when my baggage failed to arrive.

Our team at Rathfriland was headed up by Rev Henry Blaire, the Team leader for the entire SOMA mission in Northern Ireland.  Although currently the minister of Parish of Clogher in Northern Ireland, Henry is hoping to step into leading SOMA fulltime, raising awareness about SOMA throughout the region.  Another team member was Joshua from Kenya.

We had many ministry opportunities at Rathfriland and worked closely with Rev Ian Linton and his wife.  Ministry ranged from leading a Praise and Worship evening for those who wanted to experience the Spirit of God in a fresh way, breakfast with the teens of the parish, and I was allocated to preach at both services on Sunday.  We finished our time with Rathfriland by gathering with all the parishioners for a huge BBQ at the Rectory, complete with a wedding sized markee and jumping castle for the kids.

After Rathfriland, all the team headed to the parish of Kilkeel.

Kilkeel – Kilkeel was a vibrant parish with extensive facilities and a strong heritage of moving in the Spirit. (https://christchurchkilkeel.org)  Having been pastored by Bishop David for 15 years, this Anglican community were well taught and welcoming to receive more teaching on moving in the gifts of the Spirit and ministering in the Spirit during their services and outreach events.

The parish is now led by Reverend Canon Alison Calvin, a Spirit-filled woman with extensive pastoral experience.

We arrived on Sunday afternoon and met our new team members: Kevin Roberts who was a newly retired archdeacon from England, and Michelle, the wife of an Anglican minister from Fort Worth, Texas.

Immediately we began to get to know each other and then started planning how we would be involved in the parish’s evening “Encounter” service. This monthly service was designed to welcome people who wanted to experience a fresh encounter of God.  Joshua, our team member from Kenya, preached on moving in faith, and Jen from Scotland shared her testimony about struggling with insecurity and striving.  Remarkably, although Jen doubted the content of her testimony, she discovered there was a girl present, who hadn’t originally planned to attend the service, who was greatly touched by what she said.   Many others were open receive prayer ministry, the anointing with oil, and others received words of knowledge and prophecy during the ministry time.

On Monday evening the team lead a Spiritual Gifts exploration evening, and many were activated to move in new areas not only within the church community but also using these gifts in the marketplace when combined with evangelism.

As the week continued the team was involved in all kinds of ministry including door-to-door evangelism, chatting with people in the town square at a coffee and cake morning, and finished with a “pudding and praise” evening for people from the community to drop in to experience the newly built annex.

One experience that really moved me was when Rev Ally had invited members of the Kilkeel parish to participate in door-to-door evangelism either in the afternoon or in the evening.  This meant that three different groups of people were going out, in pairs, to visit their neighbours surrounding the church.

What I found incredibly encouraging was that more than 15 people turned up (some more than once) to embark on this adventure, even though many were extremely nervous about undertaking this new style of evangelism.

It didn’t matter where we went, we were usually accompanied by David, a warden in the church who was also a very powerful evangelist.  David took us on a drive up to the mountains overlooking Kilkeel and we prayed over the region.

It was wonderful to discover that Jen and I were to stay with Rev Alison, who preferred being called “Ally”, in the Rectory.  This opened the space for lots of chats about church leadership, especially in the realm of moving in the Spirit.  The Diocese of Down and Dromore are considerably further along in confidence in moving in the Spirit, demonstrated by the fact that at last year’s Synod there was a public message given in tongues, with Rev Ally providing the interpretation!

As we finished our time at Kilkeel, we farewelled each other as our next parishes involved working with new team members from other nations.

Seagoe – On Friday morning I was driven to my new location, arriving at the parish of Seagoe (www.seagoe.co.uk).  We were introduced to the Associate Minister, Stuart Moles and church planting pastor, Jim Fleming.  We also met our new SOMA team members: Justin, who although having been raised by Japanese missionaries, was now ministering as worship leader in Kings Church, London. 

As the Rector, Rev. Canon Terence Cadden had a wedding to attend on the day of our arrival, we spent the afternoon with Jim, the pioneering church planter who had bought a townhouse on ‘G Street’ in Killicamaine, a low socio-economic area of Seagoe.  We spent the afternoon with Jim, talking about how we could assist him, and went to pray with Anna, a drug addict who attended his newly formed Community Church.

The next day our first gathering was to meet with Rev. Terence and his wife Alison, and other members of the Seagoe parish who were interested in mission.  This meeting was an important occasion and we gathered to pray in the church for these church leaders later that afternoon.

Being so close to Sunday, I was scheduled to preach at both services in Seagoe, the traditional Holy Communion service and the more contemporary family service.  Being a gifted prophetic worship leader, Justin lead worship and praise in both services, which paved the way for prayer ministry to occur in both services.

On Sunday afternoon we meet with the rest of the church family for a picnic.  It was here that we were joined by Bishop Praises from Nigeria.

In the afternoon the team attended the evening service held at St Patrick’s Hall, while I went to lead the Bible Study in the Community Church plant which met in another hall in a different location.

As our time drew to a close, we said our farewells, some moving onto new locations, while others, including myself, headed home.

And then the long-haul journey home began!  What began as a 23-hour trip home from Belfast to Sydney – turned into a four day journey due to a rain storm blowing across Heathrow, grounding every plane for an hour.  Finally, on Thursday, 15th June I arrived home – unfortunately my plane had left my bag back in Singapore, and it took four days to get to my home on Monday, 19th.

Reflections on how the SOMA Mission will impact my ministry at Southlakes

The mission was indeed a whirlwind of activities, events and ministry opportunities. Nevertheless, it was an inspiring and uplifting time.  The opportunity to hear and experience how the Spirit of God is moving throughout the worldwide Anglican communion was both refreshing and energising.  Also receiving and sharing the ministries from Anglicans in different parts of the world gave me opportunity to see how diverse Anglicanism is, and how open the worldwide Anglican co