Does the work of the Order cut across the work already being done by main stream churches?
Overall, no. Members of the Order frequently find themselves working in areas that are not generally being managed by the main stream churches. We do a lot of work with those who have lost touch with the church or have been denied ministry or sacraments by the church. Our role is to minister to their immediate needs and then help them move on in their faith journeys or help them find a group or church that can best meet their needs. This work was once described as ’rounding up the lost sheep and finding homes for them’. Although a little over simple it is fairly accurate. It isn’t the only work we are involved in as you will have probably seen as you visit other parts of the web site. Our members are increasingly involved in supporting the work of their local churches which helps avoid cutting across work already being done, but as yet this tends to be more the exception rather than the rule. Some main stream clergy still feel that the Order has yet to prove itself but it is happening.
