SOMA ORGANISATION

The International Board is the guardian of the SOMA vision.

The International Board comprises Anglican Renewal leaders drawn from ten nations together with the National Directors. The International Chairman is Rt Revd Ben Kwashi - Nigeria.

The Board meets every three years and has appointed an Executive group to act as a "standing committee" between meetings. This group comprises the chairman, deputy chair, secretary, treasurer and two representatives of the national directors.

The national directors form a collegiate leadership in planning and carrying out SOMA’s ministry. They meet annually face to face as well as in telephone conferences.

As well as Australia, there are national SOMA bodies in the United Kingdom, the USA, Canada, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand and a regional office in the Diocese of Europe. See "Links" for Web Site and contact details.

Each national SOMA body has its own board or council which provides a covering and support for the National Director, and for Australia an Executive Office, whom they appoint. These boards meet at regular intervals and also appoint executives to act on their behalf

Below is the current National and International Board Members of SOMA, and how to contact them:

SOMA Australia National Board Contact Information:


Rev Cliff Parish (Chairman) NSW	Mr Bruce Moon - (National Director) NSW	Rev Rex Marre (Treasurer) Qld
Rev Dr Chris Simon (Public Officer) NSW	Mr Neil Wait Qld	Mrs Carol Price NSW
Rev Tom Hall Qld	Mr Ken Hargreaves (Secretary) NSW	Rev Glen Rebello WA

What is SOMA

ORIGINS

A product of the Charismatic Renewal, SOMA was founded following a prophetic word in Canterbury Cathedral during the Anglican international conference on spiritual renewal held in 1978.

The leadership of the Canterbury conference discerned the prophetic word – “you are to take care of the nervous system of the Anglican Church” - as a mandate to ‘renew the Anglican church world-wide’. The burden of this vision was picked up by the then Archbishop of Cape Town, Bill Burnett, Revd Michael Harper and Revd Terry Fullam. Michael Harper became the founder Director in 1979.

An international board comprising Anglican charismatic leaders around the globe under the chairmanship of Archbishop Burnett was formed in 1983

Initially established in the United Kingdom, SOMA now has other offices in the USA (1985), Canada (1986), Australia (1986), Ireland (1991), South Africa (1992), New Zealand (1994) and Singapore (1999). Since 1999, other SOMA national/regional bodies have been established in Uganda, Nigeria and Latin America. SOMA South Korea is in the process of being established.

The primary strategy of SOMA for sharing the blessings of this renewal in the Holy Spirit is through short term ministry teams

ORGANISATION

The guardian of the SOMA vision is the International Board, which is made up of bishops, clergy and lay people from around the globe.

The operational dimension of SOMA is undertaken by the National bodies whose National Directors are the executive officers. The National Directors are members of the International Board. The International Board may also appoint regional representatives. The National Directors meet annually

National SOMA bodies consist of a board or council which supports the National Director whom they appoint in prayer and resources. National bodies work closely with their national Anglican Renewal Ministries.

While the International Board meets only once every three years, an appointed Executive Group meets annually and acts on behalf of the board. The Executive Group comprises the Chairman, Deputy Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer together with three representatives of the National Directors. The International Chairman is The Most Revd Dr. Benjamin Kwashi, Archbishop of Jos in Nigeria.

SOMA is structured in this way to promote partnership and good communication among the global SOMA family. Furthermore, SOMA works in partnership with Provinces and Dioceses of the Anglican Communion, as well as with other mission agencies.THE MINISTRY

The vision and purpose of SOMA is to share the blessings of renewal in the Holy Spirit worldwide so that the Body of Christ might be empowered to preach the Kingdom of God and minister in the power of the Spirit.

The thrust of the ministry is to both leaders and members of the local church. The ministry is carried out by short-term mission teams that go to a diocese normally at the invitation of the bishop. Sometimes the invitation comes from the diocesan evangelism or renewal body with the bishop’s support. SOMA is very much a servant ministry.

These teams made up of clergy and lay people usually spend two to three weeks in the diocese conducting seminars, speaking at conferences, and sharing with parish or community groups. On Sundays the teams preach in parishes.

SOMA team members cover their own costs of travel to the diocese where they minister. The host diocese meets the cost of accommodation and hospitality. Where the diocese has difficulty in meeting these costs they may be subsidised by either the international outreach fund or by special appeals before the team leaves.

Teams are trained for the mission before they leave Australia (if they come from one locality) or during a transit stop en route.

During an initial mission to a diocese teaching will usually concentrate on the subject of Renewal in the Holy Spirit. On subsequent missions teaching may include Ministry Gifts, Healing, Deliverance, Evangelism and Intercession. Teaching will always include hands on training to equip people for ministry. In this new century there is a strong emphasis on encouraging community transformation.

SOMA AUSTRALIA

The SOMA Australia was established in December 1986 with the Revd John Wyndham as National Director. The Revd Richard Stamp and The Revd Canon Ken Munns and the Revd John Simons followed him. The current director is Mr Bruce Moon.

The current SOMA Australia Board is made up of clergy and lay leaders from four dioceses. The current chairman is The Revd Cliff Parish rector of Watsons Bay in the Diocese of Sydney.

The board, which meets annually, appoints an Executive which meets 3-4 times a year

SOMA Australia is an Incorporated Association in NSW.

SOMA Australia’s first mission team ministered in the Torres Strait Islands in July 1987.

Including that first team SOMA Australia has sent out teams to over thirty countries in Africa, Asia, South America and the Pacific region. Over 2000 people have participated in these teams. They have come from parishes throughout Australia. We have also combined with SOMA groups from other countries such as the United Kingdom, Canada, USA and South Africa.