What to do when attendance is declining, young people are conspicuous by their absence and newcomers and visitors are baffled by the liturgy? Living the Vision at St. John The Evangelist: re-imagining church in a changing world.

Goal:

Lay and clergy leaders in the Diocese of Niagara, working together in partnership, nurture disciples and make new disciples who follow Christ passionately and live out God’s mission in the world.

Biblical Reference: Luke 4:16-21 “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news…”

Indicators (Concrete Evidence):

Lay and clergy leaders throughout the diocese report feeling engaged in safe, affirming ministry partnerships
Groups, parishes and diocese are learning environments which embody a gospel of grace and acceptance, promote growth, value curiosity & “failures”, seek excellence, build confidence & affirm progress
Lay and clergy leaders have access to educational resources that support their leadership roles
Best practices identified for a full range of aspects and contexts for ministry are pursued and self-critically reviewed
The Bishop, parishes & clergy fully engage in developing and living out of intentional covenanted ministries
Covenants are actively employed in all parishes
Processes for mutual accountability to both performance and on-going learning are created, used and evaluated with reference to covenanted goals, objectives and strategies
Clergy from elsewhere and divinity students seek to serve in the Diocese of Niagara.

Missional Objectives:

1. Promote/create/facilitate safe spaces and provide resources for leaders to learn and grow by:

Convening at least three intentional learning groups in 2012
Using existing/creating new learning vehicles towards this goal including annual “leadership for ministry” development events
Increasing diocesan investment in lay leadership development to match ordained leadership development spending by 2015
Encouraging clergy & licensed layworkers to enhance their & others’ abilities to meet missional, disciple-making needs

2. Facilitate intentional covenants for ministry by:

Advancing:

A theological basis for covenants by February 2012
An initial covenant development process to test in at least six parishes or ministries by June 2012
Covenant best practices guidelines by November 2012
A regional training events model (assisting participants to develop, enter and review covenants) by March 2013

Recruiting, training & supporting a team of volunteer covenant consultants in 2012 for activation before March 2013
Offering regional training events before the summer of 2013
Having active covenants in every parish/ministry by end of 2015

3. Advance safe, affirming ministry partnerships by:

Cultivating “right relationships” among lay and clergy leaders
Promoting transparent decision-making throughout the diocese
Developing accountability structures, tools and practices which promote learning & growth, early conflict identification, support reconciliation, as well as performance reviews

4. Review progress towards our goal at least annually.

Leadership Team:

Tom Vaughan (Team Leader)
Kevin Bothwell
Nigel Bunce
Bill Connor
Terry DeForest
Renee Desjardins
Steve Hopkins
Andy Kalbfleisch

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