Mercy Ministries
Mercy Ministries
“He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Since 1891, ADM has equipped Christian women to share the love of Christ through both Word and deed.
Why we serve
As followers of Christ, we are called to share the gospel through our words, through telling others about what Christ has done for us (Romans 15: 20-21; Philippians 1:18). We are also called to proclaim the gospel through our actions and deeds, and through what our lives demonstrate about the gospel, and about and the love, mercy and compassion of Christ (James 2: 14-18; 1 John 3: 17-18; Eph 2:8-10). Each and every church is called to actions of mercy that form part of ‘faith expressing itself through love’ (Galatians 5:6), and that extend the reach of the gospel to all.
Since ADM’s beginnings, the gospel has compelled and sustained our mercy ministries. In responding to Christ’s love, at ADM we continue to share the gospel through both Word and deed, and to build on the rich foundations laid by the deaconesses who faithfully served Christ and shared his gospel with a broken and hurting world.
In responding to the second greatest commandment to love our neighbour (Mark 12:31), ministries of mercy show others what the gospel looks like. As churches grow in serving marginalised and disadvantaged members of their communities, and become places that are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming for all, we see God’s love displayed and opportunities for more and more people to meet Jesus, and to experience his love. In the Church, mercy ministries are inseparable from the work of discipleship - of seeing people come to know and experience Jesus, of continuing to grow in his love and persevere through challenges because of the hope that he brings.
As well as sharing the gospel, mercy ministries also reveal the fruit of the gospel in each of our own lives, and are a response to the love we have received through Christ as we each share this with those around us.
Who we serve
ADM continues to grow gospel-shaped women who serve Christ in the Church, the community and the world. We equip and encourage Christian women as they bring the gospel to bear in Word and deed, and who share the love of Christ with those experiencing marginalisation and injustice.
Our recent work includes programs supporting and resourcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women in ministry, as well as initiatives led by Christian women to equip churches in caring for survivors of domestic abuse. We also support those ministering in chaplaincy and pastoral care, as well as in mental health care and disability ministries. We have also funded Christian women to develop church-based mercy initiatives that respond to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and that share the love of God with their local communities.
In every church, we see opportunities for both Christian women and men to come together and to form contextual mercy ministries that extend Christ’s love to the world, and that respond to the abundant love and mercy that Christ has shown to us. At ADM, our vision is not just to equip and encourage those who are already ministering in mercy initiatives, but to also resource and support new ministries, to see every church serving in mercy ministries that extend the love of God in every context, and every community.
How we serve
Through our mercy ministries, we:
Equip and encourage Christian women in developing gospel-shaped mercy initiatives that meet the distinct needs of their communities
Resource and partner with Christian women who are ministering faithfully in marginalised and disadvantaged communities and contexts
Work to see gospel-shaped, integrated and discipleship-focused mercy ministries in every church
Domestic and Family Violence Learning Library
ADM is building a library of insightful pieces on the subject of Domestic and Family Violence, both for those impacted by the horror of this abuse and for those who are seeking to be better informed:
Domestic Abuse: How can we protect marriages and our community?
In any group of people, including churches, there will be people who unfortunately have experienced domestic abuse.
Keith and Sarah Condie, Co-director’s of MAC’s Mental Health & Pastoral Care Institute, presented on this important issue at Vine Church, Sydney. They shared how we can recognise signs of physical, emotional and other forms of abuse, and respond well.
'He sent me a spreadsheet on how much money I waste.' My seven months with a controlling man.
It is often difficult for those in the excitement of a new relationship to realise when it is a potentially destructive one. But there are almost always signs. This article from Mamamia describes really well the push-pull techniques used by abusive and controlling partners in the earlier stages of a relationship.
Many Christians have taught that “turning the other cheek” in the Bible means we are always supposed to respond as mice in the face of wrongdoing. But part of the nuanced wisdom of the Bible is giving us an appropriate response to conflict in differing situations, from small disagreements to serious issues like domestic abuse, where a touch of lion may sometimes be more helpful.
Mercy & Justice News
Current Programs
Current Programs
ADM’s Mercy Ministries are currently under development. We look forward to updating you soon on our new projects in this area.
Past Programs
Past Programs
Aboriginal And Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme is dedicated to supporting Christian women and their ministries. The aim of the program is to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Christian women who are serving their communities in formal or informal ministries, either in a paid or unpaid capacity. Grant funding between $250 - $2,500 will be awarded to successful applicants.
COVID-19 Response Grants
COVID-19 has impacted our communities in a range of ways, and vulnerability and insecurity have deepened for many already struggling before the pandemic.
ADM formed the COVID-19 Church Response Program, to equip Christian women to do mercy and justice through their local church, to meet real and present need and practically share the love of Jesus through this period.
Restoring Sanctuary Innovation Grant
Domestic violence is a critical issue affecting women, children and men in Australia.
With a single prize of $80,000, this 2020 project drew new initiatives responding to the ongoing crisis of domestic violence, so that women may flourish as God intended.
Loss, Grief & Trauma Care Pilot Project for Aboriginal Women
Aboriginal Evangelical Fellowship Australia (AEF) and Anglican Deaconess Ministries (ADM) came together to design a Loss, Grief and Trauma Care Pilot Project for Aboriginal Women.
The 11-month project began on 31 July 2017 and was rolled out initially across Queensland, NSW and Victoria. It aimed to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women to explore their experiences of loss, grief and trauma, and facilitate healing through the use of creative tools – all within a biblical framework.
Continuing from the success of the East Coast Program, ADM progressed with further roll-out of the Grief, Trauma and Loss workshops into communities in the West-Coast region of Australia.
Northern Territory Traineeship with Miriam
An ADM Mercy & Justice Grant is supporting a unique pilot initiative in the Northern Territory Anglican Diocese. Miriam Numamurdird is the first local Christian leader in the Northern Territory to participate in this two-year paid traineeship in Bible translation & leadership development. She is working in partnership with Rev. Kate Beer, CMS Ministry Development Officer for the Diocese.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme Grantees Announced
ADM is delighted to announce that twenty-two women have received grants to support their ministries through the 2020 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Women in Ministry Support Scheme.