Regional
Groups are set up across the country to support one or more Evangelists. Some
Evangelists also have a personal Support Group.
A Regional Development Group
was set up in 1998 to cover South Wales and the West Midlands.
Regional Fellowships
In
most areas, COUNTIES operates a system of Regional Fellowships, as part of a support
structure for Evangelists working primarily in one county, although many Evangelists
work over a wider area, depending on the nature of their ministry and the contacts
that they have.
Regional Fellowships normally consist of a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, representatives from churches in the county (or relevant area) and the Evangelists. Frequently, there is, also, what is known as an 'Inner Cabinet', consisting usually of Chair, Secretary, Treasurer and Evangelists.
The main activities of the Regional Fellowship should
be:
- To provide prayerful and practical support to the Evangelist(s) and spouse
/ family.
- Be a forum for the Evangelist(s) to share news, discuss opportunities,
strategy and vision and obtain constructive feedback.
- Arrange suitable occasions
for the Evangelist(s) to report on his/her work.
- Provide a forum for strategic
thinking on evangelism in the region.
- Generally promote the work of Counties
in the locality.
- Provide representation at the AGM.
- Form a trust to
hold equipment, property, etc, if appropriate.
- Raise funds to help the Evangelist(s)
with the expenses entailed in carrying out his/her work e.g. maintaining a car,
purchasing equipment.
- Help with the Evangelist's administrative workload
where possible.
- Create links with neighbouring counties.
The role of the 'Inner Cabinet' is to act as a group with whom the Evangelist(s) can share sensitive issues and from whom he/she can obtain counsel when needed. A major part of their role is, also, to generally co-ordinate the work of the Regional Fellowship by carrying out such tasks as preparing agendas for meetings, circulating minutes, taking a lead in fund raising, helping get new initiatives off the ground, etc.
Personal
Support Groups
This is a smaller support structure for Evangelists with non-geographical work. The group should consist of personal supporters (a minimum of 4 people), a COUNTIES representative (Council or Office) and the Evangelist(s).
The group should meet at least
twice a year and their aim should be:
- To provide prayerful and practical
support to the Evangelist(s) and spouse / family.
- To be a forum for the Evangelist(s)
to share news, discuss opportunities, strategy and vision and obtain constructive
feedback.
- To provide representation at the AGM.
Area Development Group
The West Midlands and South Wales Area Development Group was set up as a pilot scheme and since then has gradually been developing. It covers a much wider area than the Regional Fellowships and therefore it was found necessary for each Evangelist to have his / her own Support Group.
The ADG consists of a Chair, Secretary, Treasurer,
a Counties' representative, representatives from churches across the area and
all the Evangelists. The essential activities of the ADG are:
- To develop
a strategy for evangelism in the area, taking into consideration the work being
done by other evangelical groups.
- To arrange seminars and other events in
the area to stimulate interest in evangelism among church members.
- To explore
ways in which evangelists in the area can work together, recognising each other's
gifts and complementing one another.
- To reach out to neighbouring areas where
there is no COUNTIES input and seek to establish a Counties presence, so that
gradually the work of Counties will extend.
- To apply to the Council for the
appointment of new Evangelists as the need is apparent and be involved in such
appointments.
- To raise funds for seminars and other events in the area and
for the work of Counties nationally.
- To advise on the setting up of Support
Groups for new Evangelists and generally ensure that the Support Groups in the
area are functioning satisfactorily.
- To provide representation at the AGM.
