Bishop Perry Institute

The Anglican Diocese of Melbourne seeks to be a compelling and outward looking presence in the communities of Melbourne and Geelong we serve, engaged in the task of making the word of God fully known (Colossians 1.28). This vision shapes and informs all of our activities in a variety of ways. The stated aim of the Archbishop, the Most Revd Dr Philip Freier, endorsed by the diocesan synod, is to make mission our organising principle, with an emphasis on enabling people in ministry. In alignment with this, the Diocese of Melbourne is undergoing a significant program of revisiting, and restructuring, all of its processes, functions and procedures, to ensure that they are ‘mission shaped’ and, thereby, capable of facilitating the goal of making the Word of God fully known in the context of the cities of Melbourne and Geelong, in the early 21^st Century.

The Bishop Perry Institute for ministry & mission is a major outworking, and initiative of, the diocesan vision, established in the first iteration of the Archbishop’s vision and directions to foster and commend best practice, and act as a resource for applied Christian ministry contextual to the Australian situation. A parish renewal program has been established under the auspices of the Institute, and this has evolved now into a diocesan wide program of ministry coaching. The Institute has also commissioned and published a range of research projects into applied Christian ministry, each of which can be accessed on these pages. To further enhance effective Christian ministry, the Institute hosts detail regarding the diocesan program of professional development for lay people and clergy (called Ongoing Ministry Development), together with resources and referrals for the clergy wellbeing.