Upload
others
View
1
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
1
ServingTogetherTheReportoftheLayMinistriesWorkingGroup2015/16
1. Introduction1.1BackgroundThisreportfocussesattentiononnationallylicensed,locallyauthorisedandlocallycommissionedlayministryintheChurchofEngland1.InSeptember2014theResource,StrategyandDevelopmentUnitpublishedthereport“ResourcingtheFuture;FutureLeadershipRequirements”whichgatheredinformationaboutfutureministerialandleadershipneedsandnotedthatvolunteerlayministrywasextensiveandgrowing.InFebruary2015followupproposalsweremadeinthereport“ResourcingMinisterialEducation”.Thefinalproposalofthatreportincludedanaspirationtoseethenumberofvolunteerlayministersgrowoverthenext10yearsby48%(anetincreaseof5,678)andpaidlayministersgrowby69%(anetincreaseof831).1.2LayMinistriesWorkingGroupTheLayMinistriesWorkingGroupwasestablishedinOctober2015tomakesomedetailedproposalstoMinistryCouncilabouthowtodeveloplayministrybothintermsofquantityandquality,havingfirstgatheredamoredetailedunderstandingofthecurrentsituation.TheTermsofReferenceofthisgroupareattachedasAppendixOne.Thegrouphassoughttoworkasconsultativelyaspossibleduringthepastyearwiththelimitedresourcesatitsdisposal.Alongsideforty-fivedaysofworkfromaprojectconsultantandfourmeetingsoftheWorkingGrouptherehavebeentworegionalconsultationswithpeopleinvolvedinthetrainingandselectionoflayministers,tenfocusgroupswithlayministers,onediocesanconsultationandconsultationswithattendeesatanationalgatheringofYouthMinisters.Tosupplementthiswereceivedthirtyresponsestoaquestionnairesenttodioceses,onegroupmemberwashappytoshareherfindingsfromvisitsmadetodiocesesasresearchforadifferentorganisationandacolleagueofferedideasfromagatheringofPioneerMinisters.21.3APerspectivefromtheDiocesesFormanydiocesanofficerswithoversightforlayministry,therehasbeenagrowingsensethatthereisawideninggapbetweenwhatishappeningonthegroundinlayministryandthecapacity,capabilityandforsome,thewill,ofthestructuresofthenationalinstitutiontoreflectonitandprovideasenseofdirectionandcoherence.Onerealityformanydiocesesisthattherearemorelaypeoplesteppingintosignificantlayleadershiprolesinparisheswhichhavelessandlessproportionate‘share’ofanincumbent.Theselaypeoplehavelittleornotraining,littleornosupport.Theincumbenthasincreasingworkloadinpeoplemanagementwithlittleornotraining
1TheTermsofReferencefortheLayMinistriesWorkingGroupusethetermortitle“LayEcclesialMinistries”asshorthand.ThisnamewaspickedupfromsomeworkdoneintheCatholicChurchintheUSA(seetheworkofZeniFox“NewEcclesialMinistry”2002and“LayEcclesialMinistry”2010.Thetermwasnotlikedbyparticipantsinourconsultationsanddidnotgainanytraction.TheWorkingGroupthereforehavestoppedusingit.2Theregionalconsultationsinvolvedrepresentativesoftwenty-onediocesesaswellaspeoplerepresentingCMS,WATCH,StMellitusCollegeandRiponCollege,Cuddesdon.FocusgroupswereheldinCumbria,Bristol,Salisbury,ChesterandOxford.ChrisCorteenheldaconsultationinSalisburyDiocese.HelenBenthaskindlyofferedherresearchfromvisitingDiocesesonbehalfofPraxisandtheRSCM.MikeKellyofferedideasfromconsultationsheldataYouthMinistersGathering.DaveMaleofferedideasfromaPioneerMinistersGathering.
2
andsupportandoftentheparishisincrisis.Anotherrealityformanydiocesesisthattherearelaypeoplewithsignificantleadershipskillswhoareofferingtimeandtalentstothechurchatalllevelsandtheorganisationhasunwieldyandoutofdatemechanismsfortrainingandsupportingthem.Intothiscontext,theinstitutionatnationalleveliscurrentlyseentobeprioritisingworkingonincreasingordainedvocationsandchangingtheselectioncriteriaforordinationtrainingwhilstinthebackgroundtwoconfusinglysimilarworkinggroupshavebeentaskedto“dosomethingaboutlaypeopleandministry”3.1.4TheVisionoftheWorkingGroupTheLayMinistriesWorkingGrouphascometotheconclusionthatinordertoenabletheChurch’saspirationforgrowthinthequalityandquantityoflayministrythreethingsneedtohappenthatreinforcetheLayLeadershipTaskGroup’scallforculturechange;
• Firstly,corporateandinstitutionalreflectiononthecurrentpracticeoflayministryneedstogainmomentum,strengthandasenseofpurpose.Fromapracticalpointofviewthiswillenablethepracticeoflayministrytobestrongandhealthyinthefuture.Fromanemotionalstancethiswillenablerelationshipsbetweenparishes,diocesesandthenationalchurchinstitutionstobestrongerandhealthierinthefuture.
• Secondly,thebeliefthatministryisbestunderstoodandpracticedasacollegiateandcorporateendeavourneedsfurtherencouragementandembeddingthroughpracticalaction.Insuchacomplexcontexttheseactionswillmostlybesmallstepswhichgiveslightnudges.However,overtimethesewillbuildintoapowerfulchangeofcultureandpractice.
• Thirdly,weneedtoshiftourdiscourseaboutlayministryfromitbeingsomethingtodowith
aroleandanidentitytoitbeingsomethingtodowithundertakingtasksandactsofservice4.Inthecurrentcontextthismeansthatthekeypieceofworktobeimmediatelyengagedwithisaculturalandpracticalshiftfromafocusonlicensing,admissionandcategorisationtoafocusondevelopingthevalueandqualityoflayministry.
1.5PerspectiveonMinistryMinistryhasacorporatenature.Itisasharedendeavour,co-createdandco-maintainedbyallthepeopleofGodandthegraceofGodpersistentlyanimatesit.Thisgracegivesorientation,purpose,will,andtheabilitiesneededtoaccomplishthetasksofministry.TheoverwhelmingmajorityofNewTestamentscholarshipnowsupportstheunderstandingofministryasthecommissionedandaccountableserviceofanenvoy.Inthis,ministryisbothdistinct
3TheLayMinistriesWorkingGrouphavebeenworkinginparallelwiththeLayLeadershipTaskGroupwhichhasreportedtoArchbishop’sCouncil.4WiththisinmindthisreportpurposefullyspeaksoflayministryratherthanLayMinistry.
Overviewofthisreport
Layministryisaboutcommissionedtasksinserviceofthechurchandthegospel.Therecommendationsinthispaperarefocussedondevelopingthevalueandqualityofthat
service.
3
from,andconnectedto,discipleship.Serviceandwitnessarevitalandrevitalisingcomponentsofdiscipleshipandtherearesomedisciplesforwhombeingcommissionedandsupportedforaspecificactofserviceandwitnessisameaningfulandeffectivemeansbywhichtheyplaytheirpartinthissharedendeavour5.Ministryisalwaystobeunderstoodastheservantofmission.TheworkofGodindrawingpeopleandallcreationintoareconciled,free,lovingrelationshipwithGodandwitheachotheristhepurposeofChristianfaithandactionandallthewaysinwhichwestructureourselves.KeytounderstandingthedynamicofhowthishappensistheincarnationwhichgivesanunderstandingofthewaysinwhichGodworksandapatterntofollow.Somefurtherworkonunderstandingallformsoflayministryinlightoftheincarnationandasincarnationalneedstobedone.
OneofthekeytextsfortheRenewalandReformprogrammewithintheChurchofEngland,inwhichthispieceofworksits,isLuke10:2.Thisisarich,multi-layeredtextwhichcouldeasilybeartheweightofmorestudy.Briefly,initscontextitspeaksofthreethingsworthyofmoreattention.Firstly,theimperativetocontinuallyextendthereachofministry–firstthetwelvedisciples,thenanadvancepartyofmessengers,
thenseventy-twoworkers.Secondly,theneedtodiscoverthenatureofministrythatownsasenseofsolidaritywiththesufferingofChristincontemporaryculture.Thirdly,theagrarianimageofusinghiredlabourerswhoknowtheircraftandthesubsequentnarrativeofdiscipleswhohaveastrategyandlearnfromtheirpracticespeaksoftheissueoftrainingandsupport.1.6StructureofthisreportThisreportcontinueswithsomecommentsaboutthecurrentcontextoflayministry.WethenconsidersomeofthekeyissuesthatneedaddressingandmakesomedetailedrecommendationstoMinistryCounciltoaddressthem.Thesearethenprécisedtogiveanoverviewofthecoherenceandtimeframeforthedevelopingwork.Therethenfollowsfourappendiceswhichoffersomemoredetailedworkinspecificareas.
2. CurrentContextTheWorkingGrouphasconsideredthecurrentcontextinrelationtolayministryinordertofulfiltwopartsofourTermsofReference:
1. Toreviewcurrentdevelopmentsintraditionalandemergingformsoflayministryinthelight
oftheResourcingtheFutureandResourcingMinisterialEducationdiocesanconsultations.2. Toinvestigatewhathinderstheexerciseoflayministriesandproposechangestocurrent
practiceinordertoremovethesehindrances.2.1ThenatureoftheChurchasmysteryTheChurchisbothlikeanyotherorganisationanddifferentfromanyotherorganisation.Powerisexercisedbothintermsofroleandintermsofpersonality.Ourstructuresarebothhierarchicalanddemocratic.Weemploy,andcarefor,thepeopleinvolvedintheorganisationboththroughformalmechanismsandthroughinformalmeans.However,thechurchisalsomysteriousinthatourprimaryreasonforbeingandourprimaryreasonforallthatwedoisdirectedtoandbyGod.
5SeeappendixtwoforfurthercommentonNewTestamentscholarship.
Theharvestisplentiful,buttheworkersarefew.AsktheLordoftheharvesttherefore,tosendouthisworkersintotheharvestfieldLuke10:2
4
2.2ThenatureoftheChurchasorderedTheChurchisbothstructuredandordered.Culturally,individualsareaskedtoinvolvethemselvesinanorganisationwhichcaresdeeplyaboutdeepeningtheiruniqueandindividualspirituallifeandwhichcaresdeeplyaboutretainingasenseofcorporatedisciplineandaccountability.Sometimesforanindividualthesetwostreamsmerge,sometimestheyappeartorun,atbest,inparallellikecanalsrunningalongsiderivers.Theunderstandingofministryhistorically,asmentionedinappendixtwo,has,attimes,encouragedthemergingofthetwostreamsand,attimes,encouragedtheseparationofthem.Intherecentpast,ministrywassomethingeveryonehadwhichwasuniquetothemandsomethingwhichplacedthem,asthem,withintheorganisation.Aswinginperspectiveisnowunderwayinthatministryisincreasinglybeingperceivedasservicewhichisrepresentationalofthewholeorganisation.Itinvolves“responsibilityfor”and“accountabilitytowards”.LicensedlayministerstakevowsofobediencetotheirDiocesanBishop.Someauthorisedorcommissionedlayministersmakesimilarpromises.AndChurchWardensdeclarebeforeaBishoportheirrepresentativethattheywill“…faithfullyanddiligentlyperformthedutiesoftheiroffice…”(CanonE1).Inourconversationswithlicensedlayministersinparticularthisrelationalmechanismwasveryhighlyvaluedandseenassomethingwhichbothgivespermissionandresponsibility.However,thiswasalwaysseeninthecontextofBishopshavingpowerintheirdiocesesand,althoughtheyareaccountablefortheexerciseofthispower,inrelationtolayministry,thisisoftenexercisedunilaterally.Currently,underCanonsE6andE8aBishopmayrevokethelicenceofalayminister“…foranycausewhichappearstohim[sic]tobegoodandreasonable,”andtheCanonsthenmakelimitedprovisionforevidencetobecollectedandappealagainstadecision.Culturally,DiocesanBishopsalsoprescribeorgreatlyinfluencethepracticesandunderstandingofdiocesesconcerningwherethefiltersandboundariesarebetweendifferentcategoriesoflayministry.Accountabilityandresponsibilityaregoodmechanismsforanorganisationthatisclearthatitwantstobeorderedinsomeway.However,manylaypeoplemaynotengagewiththedeepertheologicalororganisationalpurposesofthesemechanismsandseeonlythesystemsandprocessesand,furthermore,seethemashindrancestothemexercisingtheirministry.Inorganisationsthathaveaclearhierarchy,accountabilityandresponsibilitycanbeseenasrelationalflowswhichareupwardsanddownwardsoneway;onepersonorpartoftheorganisationisresponsibleforthewell-beingandgoodpracticeofagroupofpeople;agroupofpeopleisaccountabletowardsapersonorapartoftheorganisation.Weheardfrommembersofourfocus
CasestudyHowdoyourespondtoanindividualwhoturnsupatavocationseventvocallycrossbecauseheseesthediocesanprocessofselectionandtrainingforReaderministryasunnecessaryforhim?InhismindGodhascalledhimtopreach,skilledhimtopreachandthelocalchurchvaluehispreaching.Furthermore,whenhewaspartofthelocalBaptistchurchhepreachedregularlyandno-oneaskedhimtotrainorbelicenced.
What’stherangeofauthorisationacrossdioceses?FindoutinAppendix5
Howisministryactivitydescribed?FindoutinAppendix5
5
groupsthatfindingwaystomaketheserelationalflowstwo-waywouldgreatlyenhancethesystems,processesandsenseofcollegiality.GreatertransparencyandcontinuingcommunicationfromtheDiocesanBishopandtheHouseofBishopsaboutdecisionswhicharemadewouldgreatlyenablecorporateaccountability6.Bettersystemsandprocessestotrackministerialpracticeandreflectonitindividuallyandtogetherwouldenhanceasenseofcorporateresponsibility.Otherlaypeoplearesimplygettingonwiththetaskathand.In2015theJerusalemTrustandYouthscapesurveyedyouthworkersanddiscoveredthattheleastfavouredformoftrainingforexistingyouthworkerswasonewhichgavethemanationalqualificationoraccreditation(https://youthscape.co.uk/research/publications).GeorgeLingssurveyoflay-laychurchleadershipinFreshExpressions(Investigating‘lay-lay’ledfreshexpressionsofChurchJuly2014rev2016)suggeststhat36.5%ofleadersofFreshExpressionsarelay-lay;(basedontwenty-onedioceses,totalequalsfourhundred)theyhaveneitherlicencenorauthorisationandoftenminimaltraining.Inmanydioceseslaypeopleareassignedtasksandsometimesauthorisedorcommissionedtodosowithminimalinitialtraining,minimalongoingsupportandminimalunderstandingofresponsibilityandaccountability.2.3DiversityandresourcingTheevidencetheWorkingGrouphascollecteddoesconfirmthecommonassumptionthatthereisavarietyofpracticeandunderstandinginrelationtolayministryacrossthedioceses.Eachdiocesedoesthingsslightlydifferentlyforfivemainreasons;
• theperspectivesandtheologyoftheDiocesanBishopandtheirSeniorStaffandtheirspecificvisionforthefuture.
• aperceivedandrealuniquenessofcontextandneed.• thehistoryofthedioceseandthememoriesofpastlayministryandtrainingschemes.• theavailabilityofresourcesinthediocese.• theinabilityofpastcommonnationalprogrammesforlaytrainingandsupporttogainmuch
traction.ThemostrecentbeingtrainingpathwaysthroughCommonAwardsMC(14)32‘FormingandEquippingthePeopleofGod’.
Thirty-fourdiocesesusesomesortofvalidatedpathwaythroughCommonAwardstotraintheirReadersorLicensedLayMinisters.However,thereisnoevidenceofaco-ordinatedandcommonprogrammeoftrainingbehindthesepathways.Theothersusestand-aloneprogrammesandthetrainingforAuthorisedorCommissionedLayMinistryispredominantlydiocesandeveloped,led,anddelivered.Acommonfeatureofcurrentprovisionisthattherearesignificantandstrategicboundariesforanindividualmovingthroughaparticularsystemtonavigateandtheseboundariesvaryfromdiocesetodiocese.Forexample,inalldiocesesthereissomesortofselectionevent;apanel,aninterview,astructuredconversationorsimplyameeting.Thereisoften,butnotalways,therequirementtogetPCCconsent.Duringtrainingthereareoften,butnotalways,assignmentstowrite,modulestopass,endofyearreportstoreceivewhichmayormaynotbegovernedbyDurhamUniversityQualityAssuranceprocedures.Andthroughoutitallthereisagoodworkingrelationshipwithanincumbent
6ThechangeinunderstandingandpracticeofReadersandCommunionbyExtensionin2010isaverygoodexampleofthis.Thecurrentsituationhascausedconfusion,misunderstanding,frustrationandsometimesanger.ItisstilltheonequestionmostDiocesanofficers,NCIpersonnelandothersdreadatReaderevents!
“Ididn’tknowIwaslayuntilIjoinedtheChurchofEngland!”ParticipantataRegionalConsultation
6
tomaintainwhomay,ormaynot,beaskilledcollaborativeworkerwillingtoencouragelayministry.Thereislittleobservablecommongroundindiocesesoverwherethedetailsoftheboundariesareplaced.Forexample,althoughthereisanationalcompetencyframeworkforReaderMinistryitiscurrentlyimpossibletocollatethevariationsbetweenthediocesesthatusetheframework.Sometimestheseboundariesarecriticalatlocallevel,butopaque.Forexample,thereisoftenarelianceonkeypeople(oftenalayperson’sincumbent)tomakedecisionsaboutanindividual’sfuturetrainingandministrywithoutanythingmorethanthatperson’sestimateofasenseofcallingtogoon.Sometimestheseboundariesareinrealitystepsupanddownapersonalisedvocationsladder.Timeandtimeagaininourconsultationswecameacrosstheviewthatoneofthekeyhindrancestoflourishinglayministryisthatdecisionmakersoftenperceivedittobe,orpracticeasthoughitis,the“consolationprize”forthosewhocannot,foravarietyofreasons,attainordination.And,moreoftenthannot,theexplorationofvocationstopsafterlicensingorauthorisation,theboundariesdisappearandmostlayministersareleftfree,inpractice,todowhatevertheyseefit.ArecurringthemeinourregionalconsultationsandthediscussionsinourWorkingGroupmeetingshasbeenthelackofanysortofnationalfundingforlayministrytrainingandsupport.Thishasbeeninterpretedintwomainways;firstly,assymbolicofagenerallackofinterestintheChurchofEnglandinlayministryandsecondly,asapracticewhichgivesdiocesesthepowertodowhattheywant,howtheywant,becausetheyarepayingforit.Assuggestedintheintroduction,ithasnotgoneunnoticedbyDiocesanOfficersandothersthatthepersonnel,financialandtimeresourcingforconsideringissuestodowithordainedministryatnationalanddiocesanlevelsfaroutstripsanyresourcingofconsideringlayministry.Asapointofdetail,aviewrepeatedlyexpressedacrossallourconsultationshasbeenthatthetargetssetforincreasingthenumbersofpeopleofferingthemselvesforordainedministryhavebeenprofoundlyunhelpfulinencouragingthinkingandpracticeaboutincreasingthenumberoflayministers.2.4Lackofdiocesanandnationalknowledgeaboutlayministryandprideinhowlayministersaretrainedandsupported.Evidencefromthequestionnairesentouttodiocesessuggeststhatdatacollectionaboutlayministryindiocesesisundermaintained.AnumberofreturnstothequestionnairestatedquitedifferentfiguresforthenumberofReadersinthediocesetothefigurewhichearlierintheyearhadbeensentinasanAnnualReturntotheCentralReadersCouncil.WehadhopedtousetheChurchofEnglandPortalContactManagementSystemtoharvestsomedataaboutlayministers.However,despitethefactthatapproximatelyhalfofthediocesesarenowusingthissystemtocollectdatawequicklyrecognisedthatthesedataareonlyasgoodasthecapacityofDiocesestoinputit,andworkinthisareaisinitsinfancyandispatchyatbest.DuringtheRegionalConsultationsthereemergedacorporatesenseofmildembarrassmentaboutthelackofknowledgeofthebasicsofhowlayministryisorganisedbothathomeandinother
Howislayministryfundedbydioceses?FindoutinAppendix5
Whatdoweknowaboutvocationstolayministries?FindoutinAppendix5
Howmanylayministersarethere?FindoutinAppendix5
7
diocesesandthelackofqualityofsupportforlayministers.Earlyonintheproject,theProjectConsultantreviewedeverydiocesanwebsite.Imaginingthattheywerealayperson,eitherwithanexistinglicenceorauthorisationorwithsomeskills,timeandasenseofvocationtoministry,shelookedforsomebasicinformationaboutthepracticesineachdioceseinrelationtolayministry.Theinformationwasoftensparse,hardtofindandinsomecases,outofdate.AlloftheDiocesanOfficerstheWorkingGrouphasbeenincontactwithsawthisprojectasacriticalandtimelypieceofworkinordertoencouragebetterknowledgeaswellasbetterpractice.Somediocesesareexperimentingwithnewformsoflayministryandnewideas.AndwhilstthiswaswelcomedbyDiocesanOfficers,asadnessatthelackofcorporatesharingandlearningfromthenewwasalsoexpressed.2.5Readers–continuityandchangeThisreportiswrittenduringtheyearofthe150thcelebrationsoftherevivalofReaderministry.ThelongevityofReaderministrymakesitacomplexfeatureofthelandscape.Somepeopleseeitasaproblemtobesolved,othersasanopportunitytobuildon.Someseeitasaformofministrydeeplyembeddedinthemaintenanceoftraditionalchurchandalayversionofordainedministry,othersasapioneerministryontheedges,conductedbypeoplewhoare“outoforders”.InsomediocesesReaderministryiswelldefinedandtobeaReaderistocarryoutspecifictasks,usuallyleadingworshipandpreaching.InotherDiocesesReaderministryisacatch-allcategoryforlayministry.This,andthepotentialbarrierputinplacebythenameReader,haveledtoanumberofdiocesesusingthetitle“LicensedLayMinister”moreregularly,thoughthisdescriptionisarguablylessesotericandleaveslittleroomfornone-Readerlicensedlayministerstousethetitle.InrecognisingthecomplexityofthesituationTheCentralReaders’CouncilExecutivehasproposedthat,becauseReadersformthemajorityoflicensedlayministers,theCouncilwouldtakealeadinproposingthatit,andanyotherbodiesrepresentinglayministers,shouldcometogetherintoanewlayministrycouncil,responsibletothenationalMinistryCouncil,andrepresentingawiderangeofepiscopal-licensedlayministersauthorisedbybishops,suchasevangelists,teachersofthefaith,chaplains,pioneers,congregationleaders,pastorals,youthandchildren’sworkers,communityworkers,worshipleadersandothers.2.6BinarythinkingandchangeBinary,dualisticthinkingisakeyfeatureofthecurrentthought-lifeandpracticeofthechurch.Thereischurchandworld,ministryanddiscipleship,sanctuaryandpew,Sundayfaithandpracticeandfaithandpracticeintheworkingweek,academictrainingandpracticallearning,theNCIsanddiocesesandparishesand,ofcourse,ordainedandlay.Allbinariesare,webelieve,co-createdandco-maintained.Clericalismasaparticularformulaanddynamicforgettingandexercisingpowerwithinthebinaryoflayandordainedisequallyco-createdandco-maintained.It,andallofitsshadows,arepervasiveandalargepartofourcurrentcommonlife.Builtdeepintothethinkingofthisreportliesarecognitionoftheinherentdisobligingnatureofclericalism.Alsobuiltdeepintothisreportisadesiretostrengthenoursenseandourpracticeofbeingatanendeavourtogetherandcorporately.TheWorkingGrouphavealsonotedthatmanylayministerspracticeministryinwayswhichchallengebinarythinkingonanumberoflevels.Forexample,oneReaderatafocusgroupsummedupmuchoftheconversationaboutthenatureofReaderministrybysaying“theministryleaksintoallofmylife”.Somedeeperlisteningtothisexperienceandreflectiononitisanotherwayinwhichwecandevelopandstrengthenourunderstandingofministry.
8
Systemsthinking,aswiththetheologyoftheincarnation,ispredicatedontheassumptionthatallisrelated.Tochangeonepartistonecessitatechangeelsewhere.Itispartofthecultureofthisreportthattherearelayersofchangeandallchangeshaveconsequences.Someoftheseconsequencesmightbequiteeasytodiscern,somemightbeunknown.TheWorkingGroupacknowledgesthattheserecommendationsbuildonwhathasgonebefore,inwayswhicharepredictableandwayswhicharenot,andatthesametime,laysfoundationsformissionandministryinthefutureinwayswhichperhapsarepredictableandwayswhichareperhapsnot.Inapproachingchangestolayministryweneedtobebothproactiveandreactive,bothenergeticandreflective,bothorganisedandabletobesurprised.2.7GoodwillThroughoutthelifeofthispieceofworkwehaveencounterhugeamountsofgoodwilltowardsandwithinlayministry.ThesensethatwearecorporatelyinthistogetherisownedbyvastnumbersofpeoplewithintheChurch,whatevercurrentcategorisationofministrytheyarein.Thevolunteerhourscurrentlygivenbylayministersonbehalfofthechurchareconsiderable.Thereis,inshort,acultureofgoodwillwhichprovidesafoundationforfurtherdevelopmentandaction.
3. KeyIssuesandRecommendationsTheLayMinistriesWorkingGroupareaskingtheMinistryCounciltoendorseandaffirmtheespousedshiftinculturetowardsafocusondevelopingthevalueandqualityoflayministryandthenextstepssetoutbelowtohelpembedthatchange.3.1UnderstandingOneofthetermsofreferencefortheWorkingGroupis;todevelopatheologicalunderstandingoflayministriesandthecomplementarityoflayandordainedministries.ThisisanongoingtaskoftheChurchasawholeandwehopethatthisreport,alongwithitsAppendix2,addstothatflowofunderstanding.WenotehoweverthatacrosstheChurchofEnglandthereisdiversityofunderstandingconcerningordainedministryandthatatheologyoflayministrymaynotbeeitherachievableordesirable.Itisalsotruetosaythatourtheologyandourpracticeneedtoinformeachotherandbeheldinconstantconversation.Wecurrentlyknowverylittleaboutourpracticeoflayministry.Asoutlinedabove,ourdatacollectionisinsufficientandourconversationsaresparse.
i. Theology,sharedunderstandingisaworkinprogress.Inorderforasharedunderstandingtogrowitisessentialthattheologicalthinkingisresourcedandco-ordinated.Thisthinkingneedstobebothgeneralandspecific.Ingeneral,thatvisionsforlayleadershipanddiscipleship,espousedbytheLayLeadershipTaskGroup(AC(16)54),coherewiththevisionforlayministrycontainedinthisreport.Specifically,inaddressingsuchmattersasthetheologyaroundincarnationalministrybothlayandordained,andpracticessuchasCommunionbyExtensionandlayministersinvolvementinbaptismsandfuneralministry.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncilliaiseswiththeLLTGandtheFaithandOrderCommissiontoensurethatleadershipanddevelopmentofworkinthisareaisco-ordinated,plannedforandresourced.
ii. Practice,basicdataanddescriptionsoflocalpracticesarepatchy.
9
Inordertomakearealisticassessmentofthescaleofthechallengesandopportunitiesthatsurroundtheexerciseoflayministriesthereisapressingneedtoimprovethequalityofourdatacollectionandthecapacityforcreativeuseofthatdata.Thisreportprovidesaninitialmapbutmuchmoreworkisrequired.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncilrequestthattheArchbishops’CouncilprovideadditionalresourcestoacceleratetheadoptionandeffectiveuseoftheChurchofEnglandPortal,ContactManagementSystem7.
iii. Learning,conversationsaresparse.Inordertocarryasharedunderstandingoftheroleoflayministriesintothefutureourtheologyandpracticeneedstobebroughtintoregularandcontinueddialogue.Ourconversationsarecurrentlyverysparse,ashasbeensignalledbythedisproportionateappreciationofparticipantswhenaskedtotakepartinthislimitedreview.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncilasktheHouseofBishopsStandingCommitteetocommittimetoitsagendainearly2018todiscussthefruitsof1.i&iiaboveinadvanceofareporttoGeneralSynod.Inaddition,fordiocesanbishopstodesignatelayministrychampionswiththecapacityandthenecessaryauthoritytoactivelyengagewithnationalconversationsintheinterveningmonths(seemorebelow).3.2AuthorisingandsupportingTheWorkingGroup’sTermsofReferencearerealisticinrecognisingthatthecurrentdiversityinpracticeandunderstandingneedstobeaffirmed.Indeed,awatchwordfortheconsultationhasbeenflexibility.However,inanationalandorderedChurchsomeunityisalsodesirable.TheGroupproposethatthisunitymaybefoundinsomesharedprinciplesintheuseoflicensingandauthorisation,inthehopethatthiswillsupportthegrowthofqualityservice.
i. Oversight,clarityisdesirable.TheGroupwanttoaffirmthebishopsintheirlocalpractisesoforderinglayministrywhilstrecommendingthattheytakegreaterresponsibilityfortheprocessesofgoodHumanResourcesManagementinrelationtolayministers(inparallelwithcurrentSafeguardingarrangements).Thisshouldincludegreaterclarityon:
• vocationsworkandselection• trainingandsupport• evaluationandfeedback• employmentandcompensation• disciplineandgrievance
ItisnottheWorkingGroup’sexpectationthatthebishopwillhavedirectresponsibilityforactivityineachoftheseareas.Rather,thatthediocesanbishopwillknowwhodoeshavedirectresponsibilityforactivityintheseareasandthattheyareadequatelyequippedwitheithernationalorlocal
7Ithasbeennotedthatthesystemisbasedondifferentlayersofaccess.Insomediocesesallstaffaregivenaccesstoalllayers,inotherdiocesesaccessisgiveninahierarchicalway.Thiscanmeanthatpeopleemployedatanadministrativelevelwhereinputandretrievalofdataisakeytasksometimesdonothavethepermissiontodothiswithallofthedata.
10
guidanceforthisrole.Thereismuchworkcurrentlybeingundertakennationallyineachoftheseareasinrelationtoordainedministryandarelativeandrealdeficitinrelationtolayministry.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncil:
• Extendthescopeofnationalworkonvocationstoincorporatemoreholisticmessagingaboutthenatureofvocationslayandordained,replacingthepresentlimitedfocusonclergynumbers.Thisworkshouldbeadequatelyresourcedinordertoenabletheproductionofmaterialsfordiocesesanalogoustoworkcurrentlybeingprepareddetailingthe‘ClergyOffer’,whichoutlinesasetofexpectationsandunderstandingaroundthenatureofordainedministrytoday.
• Extendandcoordinatethereviewsofselectionandformationcriteria,promotedbytheLayLeadershipTaskGroupandtheEvangelismTaskGroup,toincludelayministrieslicensedunderCanon.
• Encouragediocesesasanimmediatefirststeptoworkthroughthesetof‘QuestionsandSuggestions’onthethemeof‘IdentificationandSelection’(seeappendixthree).
• ChargetheContinuingMinisterialDevelopmentPaneltodevelopproposalstoimplementschemesandmechanismsforcontinuoustrainingandlearningopportunitieswhicharemostlytaskorientatedandwidelyavailabletobothlayandordained.Thiswillactasacounterbalancetocurrenttrainingpracticeswhichfront-loadlearning.
• Encouragediocesestoworktowardsalllicensedandauthorisedlayministershavingaroledescriptionandamandatoryannualreview.ThecreationofanonlinehubtoresourcethisisrecommendedbelowandonepossibleresourceisattachedasAppendixFour.Otherresources,suchasthosecreatedforthemanagementofvolunteersbytheChurchUrbanFund(https://www.cuf.org.uk/Pages/FAQs/Category/working-with-volunteers)arealsonoted.
• AsktheRemunerationandConditionsofServiceCommitteetoreporttotheCouncilon:
o theemploymentconditionsandremunerationofChildrenandYouthWorkers.o provideadviceontheintroductionofaLayMinistryDisciplineMeasure,including
questionsofAdmissionandRe-licensing.
ii. Mission,authorisationisprimarilyaresponsetomissionalneedTheGrouptakestheviewthatlicensingorauthorisationofanindividualshouldprimarilybearesponsetoaparticularmissionalneedinacommunityorchurchcontext.Itisthereforetaskratherthanroleorientated.Thisinvolvesachangeinemphasiswhendiscussinglayministriesthatwarrantsfurtherexplorationtoconsiderthetheologicalandpracticalimplicationsofthisposition.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncil:
• Ensurethatnationalleadershipandresourcesareappliedinthisarea(potentiallycoveredin1.i.above).TheWorkingGroupacknowledgesthatthiswillentailsomedetailedreflectionontherelationshipsbetweenlayministry,thepermanentdiaconateandOrdainedLocalMinistry.
• AsktheHeadofProjectsandDevelopments,RevdCanonDrSandraMillar,inconsultationwiththosedoingtheworkofengagingwiththeology(3.1.i)toprepareareportforthe
11
Councilonthepossibilityormoreregularlylicensingorauthorisinglaypeopletotakefunerals.
• EncourageDiocesestodeveloptheirstrategy,understandingandpracticeofencouragingthevocationsof,andtrainingofpotentialandexisting,layministersasresponsestoparticularmissionalneedinacommunityorchurchcontext.
iii. Canons,simplificationinlightofi&iiisdesirable.TheGroupwelcomestheworkoftheSimplificationTaskGroupinattemptingtomaketheCanon’smoreflexiblewhilstrecognisingthatmoreworkneedstobedone,particularlyaroundthosewhoareadmittedunderlifetimevocationalministriesandnotjustforaseason,andfindsamechanismtoembraceallaspectsofLayMinistry.3.3Resourcing
i. Informed,poorlyarticulatedgoalsmayreinforceexistingpatternsofabundanceandpoverty.
TheGroupviewsthefiguressetoutinthereportonResourcingtheFuturein2014asaninadequatebasisfromwhichtoadvanceanationalstrategyforthegrowthinlayministries.Ourreportoutlinesthatthenatureoflayministriesissodiverseandsodependentonlocalparticularitiesthatasimpleaggregatedpercentageofdiocesanleaders’aspirationsfornumericalgrowthismisleading.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncil:
• BuildontheworkstartedbytheWorkingGroup,andproposedin1.ii.abovewhichwillresultinastrategytoreportonlayministriesandtheirdiversityinordertofacilitateamoregroundedgoalforgrowthandtoenablemeaningfulreportingtoSynodin2018.ThisworkshouldbeledbytheVocationsTeamandtheResearchandStatisticsDepartment.
• AsktheFxCEmbeddingGrouptoreporttotheCouncilonitsaspirationsforthegrowthoflaypioneerministersandensurethatthesearealignedwithaholisticstrategyforthegrowthofalllayministries.
• Considerhowthevoicesoflayministersnotcurrentlyrepresentedaremoreclearlyheard
andenabledtocontributetothisdiscussion,potentiallyinvolvingthesettingupaformofLayMinistriesCouncil.
ii. Capacity,learningopportunitiesarefewandpoorlycommunicated.TheGroupisclearthatthereisaverylimitedcapacityinbothdiocesesandnationallyformutuallearningaboutthepracticeoflayministryandwhatmayhelpittoflourish.Thisismostacutelyillustratedbyevenacursorylookatmostdiocesanwebsiteswhichpresentaconfusedandoftensignificantlyoutofdatepictureofpracticeandunderstanding.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncil:
• MakefulluseofthelearningopportunityaffordedbythediocesanPeerreviewprocessandasktheCommissioners’ResourceandStrategyUnittoreviewtheirpracticetoincludecloserscrutinyofthedeploymentandresourcingoflayministers.
• Allocateresourcestoenabletheproductionofanonlinehubofresourcestosupportthe
identification,selectionandeffectivemanagementanddeploymentoflayministers.
12
• Allocateresourcestobuildingup,incollaborationwithcolleaguesacrosstheNCIs,anationalunderstandingofwhatDioceseswantandneedintermsoflayministry.
iii. Leadership,awatchfuleyeisrequiredtomaintainfocusTheGrouprecognisesthatforprogresstobemadeineachoftheareasoutlinedabovethatadequatelyresourcedleadershipisessential.Itfearsthatwithoutawatchfuleyeanyprogressonsupportingthegrowthoflayministrywillrapidlydissipate.TheWorkingGroupthereforerecommendsthattheMinistryCouncil:
• CreateanationalpostbasedinMinistryDivisionwithanoperationalbudgettoenablethedevelopmentofanationalconversationandlearningcommunityaboutlayministry.Thepostwouldhelp:
i. EnsurethatDiocesanLayMinistryChampionsareregularlybroughttogether,alongsideNCIstaff,tocontinuetheconversationsstartedbytheworkofthisWorkingGroup.
ii. EnsurecoherencearounddiscussionsacrossmultipleRenewalandReformsworkstreams,includingVocations,Selection,ResourcingMinisterialEducation,Simplification,LayLeadershipetc.thattouchonlayministries.
iii. Facilitatetheemergenceandadoptionofnationalbestpractice,particularlyinrelationtoHumanResourcesManagementprocessesoutlined.
iv. Provideregularcommunicationtostakeholders,includingmaintainingwebresourcesasgoodpracticemodelsandcasestudiesbecomeavailable.
v. PreparethereportforSynodin2018detailingprogressinvocationsandbeyondthatcommentaryonquestionsofquality.
vi. ProvidestaffsupportanydevelopmentsaroundanyLayMinistryCouncilandinparticularthepreparationofregularreportsfortheCouncildetailingprogressintheareasoutlined.
IneachoftheseareastheWorkingGrouprecommendsthatareportonprogressismadetheCouncilatitsmeetinginFebruary2017andthattheworkissubstantiallyreviewedbytheHouseofBishopsandGeneralSynodinearly2018.
4.ConclusionTheWorkingGroupwouldliketothankMinistryCouncilfortheopportunitytocompletethisvitalpieceofwork.WehaveendeavouredtoworkalongsideourlayministrycolleaguesandalongsidetheLayLeadershipTaskGrouptomeetourTermsofReference.ItisourfirmbeliefthatputtingresourcesintointentionalnationalandlocalconversationsaboutlayministryandputtingresourcesintoensuringconsistencyofqualityintheministrythatisundertakenwillsubstantiallyshiftthecultureoftheChurchandhelpustorespondtowhatGodisaskingofus,bothnowandinthefuture.Wewishthepeopletakingonthenextstageofimplementationoftheseproposalswell.Co-chairs:DesScott,DeputyChiefExecutive,ChurchArmy BishopRobert,SodorandMan
13
AppendixOne
LayMinistriesWorkingGroupTermsofReferenceandMembershipa. Toreviewcurrentdevelopmentsintraditionalandemergingformsoflayministryinthelightof
theResourcingtheFutureandResourcingMinisterialEducationdiocesanconsultationsb. Todevelopatheologicalunderstandingoflayecclesialministriesandthecomplementarityoflay
andordainedministriesc. Toinvestigatewhathinderstheexerciseoflayministriesandproposechangestocurrent
practiceinordertoremovethesehindrancesd. ToproposeaframeworkforlayministriesintheChurchofEnglandwhichrespectsdiversityof
expressionbetweendiocesesandencouragessharedlearning,goodpracticeandinterconnectednessacrosstheChurchofEngland
e. Toreviewtheresourcescurrentlyallocatedtolayministerialeducationanddevelopmentandtoproposechanges
f. ToliaisewiththeFacilitatingLayLeadershipWorkingGroupandsupportitsworkandreceivesupportfromit
g. TopresentareporttotheMinistryCouncilincludingaplanforimplementationofproposalsInordertodefinethesubjectofthisreviewmoreclearlyithasbeenproposedthatthetermlayecclesialministriesbeused.‘LayEcclesialMinistries’isthetitlegiventoformsofministry,paidandunpaid,undertakenbylaypeopleandlicensedorauthorizedbyaBishop.Theyincludethoseofevangelists,readers,teachersofthefaith,chaplains,pioneers,laycongregationleaders,pastoralassistants,youthandchildren’sworkers,communityworkersandworshipleaders.Theirfocusistoshareintheevangelistic,pastoral,formationalandliturgicalministryofthechurch,workingincollaborationwithclergytobuildtheKingdomofGod.Co-chairBishopRobert,SodorandManCo-chairDesScott,DeputyChiefExecutiveattheChurchArmyHelenBent,HeadofMinisterialTraining,RoyalSchoolofChurchMusicinpartnershipwithPraxisChrisCorteen,LayChairSalisburyDiocesanSynodMikeKelly,YouthMinistryOfficer,LeicesterdioceseEstherElliott,LayMinistryProjectConsultantandstaffleadTimLing,HeadofMinistryDevelopment
14
AppendixTwo–UnderstandingsofMinistryandDiscipleship ServiceandservanthoodarepartoftheDNAofeveryChristiandiscipleandoftheChurchbutduringthelastcoupleofgenerations,thebuzzwordinchurchhasbeen‘ministry’(whichliterallymeansthesamething)andquiteatradewasestablishedinmakingChristiansfeelguiltyiftheyweren’t‘ministering’,whilefewerpeopleoutsidewantedtojoininthisenergeticecclesialactivity.ThankfullyweareshiftingourattentiontohelpingChristianstobeChristiansbythepoweroftheHolySpirit.Themoreourtalkrevolvesaround‘ministry’,themorewedevalueanddisableChristiandiscipleswhosecallingisnottodosomethingforthebenefitofthechurchbuttobeChristians.Putsimply,discipleshipiswhatallChristiansarecalledto–wearealldisciplesoftheLord–whereasministryisasummonsbytheLordtosomeactivityand,inparticular,anactivityforand/oronbehalfoftheChurch.Theconceptofministryhasarangeofinterpreters.AtoneendofthescalearethosewhodividetheChurchintothefewwhoministerandthemajoritywhodon’t;attheotherendarethosewhoassumethateveryChristianisaministerwithatleastoneministry.Acoupleofgenerationsagowewereatoneextremeandministrynormallymeantordination;thenopinionswungtotheotherextreme,andministrycametomeanactivitieseveryChristianshouldengagein,callingeachlittleactofservice‘ourministry’.Botharefataltrapsintowhichweeasilyfall.‘Whenallisministry,ministryfadesaway.’8MinistrymaybedefinedasthewillingnessofGodtoserve,demonstratedintheobedientself-offeringofJesusChristwhocameamongusasServantandLord.ThatministrycommittedtotheChurchisexpressedinthepriorityofworshipandinawillingnesstogiveplacetoothersand,particularly,toallwhoareinanywayweakorpowerless.9Basically,ministrydescribesourbeingservantsofGod-acallingforallChristians.Butthereismoretobesaidaboutthiswordand,inordertomakesenseoftheNewTestamentandofGod’sworkintoday’sworld,weneedtomakeclearerthedistinctionsbetweentheserviceofferedbyallChristiandisciplesandcommissionedministry.HowhastheChurch’sunderstandingofministry(or‘diakonia’intheGreekoftheNewTestament)shiftedinrecentyears?Fromearlytimes,theconceptwasreasonablyunderstoodasaservant’scommission;thatunderstandingremainedunchallengedattheReformation,untilthetwentiethcentury.However,therewasapronouncedchangebetweentheearly1950’sandthe1960’swhenthetraditionalassumptionthatministrywasprovided(inthewordsofStPaul)byGod‘toequipthesaints’10wasovertakenbyaloudandprevailingassertionthatministryistheprerogativeofallthebaptized.Thisencouragedmanytodeclarethatbaptismisauniversalsignofgiftingforministry,that‘every-memberministry’or‘theministryofthebaptized’wasaNewTestamentdoctrine,andthattheterms‘discipleship’and‘layministry’meantthesamething.ThenaturalcorollaryofthiswasthatallChristiansshouldseekouttheirown‘ministry’.So‘ministry’becameawordthatfounditswayintoeverythoughtfortherenewaloftheChurch’s
8T.F.O’Meara:TheologyofMinistry,PaulistPress,1983.9Mark10.45;Luke22.26,27;John13.14,15;2Corinthians11.29,30;1Timothy6.17,18;1John4.1921.10Ephesians4.12.
15
life:inonecommentator’swords,‘Ministryisagreedyconcept.’11Thisthinkingstillremainsstubbornlyembedded.Thefailuretodistinguishthetwowaysinwhichweunderstandtheword‘diakonia’as(1)theserviceofferedbyeverydiscipleand(2)theministrytowhichsomehavebeencommittedhasledbothtoconfusioninourthinkingaboutlayministry,andtodevaluingthediscipleshipsharedbyallChristians.RayAndersoncommentedthat
‘missionkeepsministryfrombecomingamirrorinwhichthechurch,likethemythicalNarcissus,seesitsownreflectionandendsupwitheringawayuntilitbecomesapottedplant-anarcissus!’12
AswellasbecomingawordthatfounditswayintoeveryaspectoftherenewaloftheChurch’slifeandmission,ministryacquired,inmostchurch-people’shearing,thesensethatitistodowithservicewithintheChurchoronbehalfoftheChurch.ThusthenaggingquestionwhichhungovereveryChristian,‘What’syourministry?WhatareyoudoingfortheChurch?’TheChurchtoday,itissaid,islikeahelicopter:don’tstandtoocloseoryoumaygetsuckedintoitsrotas!ThispersistentemphasisoneverydisciplebeingaministershiftedthefocusofattentionsubconsciouslyfromthebedrockofChristiandiscipleshiptoapreoccupationwith‘ministries’.It’snotthatalloftheseareunnecessaryorunder-valued,becausesustainingthelifeoftheChurchisvital,buttheemphasishasshifted.Thelastgenerationorsohasseenagradualclericalizingoflaypeople,divertingattentionfromthekingdomofGodandtheworldhelovesintointernalaffairs.JohnN.Collins,wholedmuchoftherenewedstudyofthewordsincetheearly1970’s,13andmanyothers,havelookedathowthevarious‘diakon-’wordswereusedwithinthefirstcenturyworldoftheNewTestamentwriters,andrecognisedthat,whiletheydidcarrysomeovertonesofhumility,theyprimarilydescribehonourable,commissionedservice.Hisworkhasbeenanimportantdriverbehindrecognisingthevitaldistinctionbetweentheservanthood/serviceofallbaptizedChristiansandtheministryofthose(layandordained)towhomhasbeencommittedcommissionedandreservedservice.Inotherwords,weneedtoretreatfromthelanguageof‘every-memberministry’andreplaceitwith‘everydiscipleaservant’.Collinsconcludesthatatnopointinancientusage,Christian,paganorsecular,did‘ministry’meanlovingservicetothoseinneed.Instead,itdescribedtheserviceofanenvoy,commissionedandaccountabletoperformatask.TheoverwhelmingmajorityofNewTestamentscholarshipnowsupportsthisunderstandingofministryascommissionedandaccountableservice.ThreeimportanttextsintheNewTestamentneedtobereadagaininthelightofthisresearch.First,oneofJesus’sayingsfromMatthew’sandMark’sGospels:
‘TheSonofMandidnotcometobeservedbuttoserve,andtogivehislifeasaransomformany.’14
ThebackgroundofthesayingistherequestofhisdisciplesJamesandJohn(Matthewsaysitwastheirmother)tositnexttoJesusathisthroneintheKingdom.Jesusbeginsbyexplaining,
‘“Youdonotunderstandwhatyouareasking.CanyoudrinkthecupthatIdrink,orbebaptizedwiththebaptismIambaptizedwith?”“Wecan,”theyanswered.Jesussaid,“ThecupthatIdrinkyoushalldrink,andthebaptismIambaptizedwithshallbeyourbaptism;buttositonmyrightoronmyleftisnotformetogrant;thathonourisfor
11 HelenOppenheimer.12RaySAnderson:AnEmergentTheologyforEmergingChurches,B.R.F.,2007.13Diakonia:Re-interpretingtheAncientSources,1990;AreAllChristiansMinisters?1992;etc.14Matthew20.28;Mark10.45;seealsoLuke22.27,28.
16
thosetowhomithasalreadybeenassigned.”15’Thisintroduceswhatfollows:thenecessityforadisciplebothtobehumbleandalsotobereadytofollowJesusintothebaptismofsuffering.Thesaying,likethestoryinwhichitisset,isintwopartsthatareinextricablylinkedbyacrucial‘and’.Yes,‘theSonofMancamenottobeservedbuttoserve’-andhereacommagetsintheway,withtheriskthatwemighttaketherestofthesentenceforgranted-‘andtogivehislifeasaransomformany.’Inotherwords,theserviceofferedbytheSonofManisnotsomuchhishumilitybuttheobedientServantgivinghislifeasaransomformany-‘thebaptismIambaptizedwith’.JohnCollinscomments:
‘Mark’sSonofManisservingor,better,ministeringunderGod.Inlayingdownhislife,heiscarryingoutthesacredcommissionordiakoniahehadreceivedfromGod.’16
Inthefoot-washingstoryofJohn13Peter’swillingnesstofollowJesusintohisbaptismofsufferingisthekeythatunlocksthefoot-washingsymbol.JesusistheServantofGodnotsimplybecauseheishumblebutbecauseheistheSonobedienttothecommissionofhisFather,hisbaptismofsuffering,thecommissionthatledtothecross.ThesecondpassageforreflectionisfromStPaul’sSecondLettertotheCorinthians,wheretheApostlehasbeenatpainstoemphasisethelinkbetweenhispersonalweaknessandhisroleasanapostle,summedupindescribinghimselfasa‘ministerofChrist’.17Paulengagesinawide-rangingdiscussionofministryextendingoverseveralchapters,mostofitpersonaltestimony.18Asaservant,heseeshimselfastheenvoysentfromGodwithawordfromGodhimself,ratherthanarepresentativeofthechurchinJerusalemorAntioch.PaulcametoCorinthasGod’senvoytobringhiswordofreconciliationinChrist19;hecamewithanappealdirectlyfromGod,andeachtimeheusesthatsamewordofhimself-‘minister/servant’.Incontrast,asanApostle,Paulisarepresentativeofthechurchthatsenthimandcarrieswithhimitscredentials.Asaminister,heisaspokespersonforGod;asanApostleheisarepresentativeoftheChurch.ThethirdobservationisdrawnfromtheLettertotheEphesians,chapterfour.IfonlytheNewTestamenthadpunctuation!WhenthemajorupdatingoftheRevisedStandardVersionoftheBibletookplaceduring1971-2acommawasomittedfromtheLettertotheEphesians,chapter4,verse12.Formerlyithadread,‘fortheequipmentofthesaints,fortheworkofministry,’–referringtotwodistinctaspectsoftheeffectsoftheascendedChrist’sgiftstotheChurch–butitwasrevisedinordertoread,‘toequipthesaintsfortheworkofministry.’Thereisnotextualevidencetopreferoneversionoveranother.Wehavetolookelsewheretounderstandtheauthor’sintentionandwefinditinwhathasbeensaidaboveaboutthedistinctambassadorialroleofministry.ThehiddenpersuaderbehindthechangeintheRSVseemstohavebeenthegrowingpopularityofevery-memberministryinthe1960’sand70’s,itselfanattemptattheologicaldemocracy,anunderstandablerebellionagainstafoolishhierarchicalviewofpublicministrythatputordinationatthetopanddiscipleshipatthebottom.FollowingtheRSVrevision,thiscommawasomittedfrommostothermoderntranslations,andreadingtherevisedtextfrequentlyinpublicworshiphasencouragedthepopularviewthatapostles,prophets,evangelists,pastorsandteachersaregiventotheChurchinordertomakeministersofalldisciples,whereas
15 Mark10.38-40.16JournalofEcumenicalStudies,199517See2Corinthians11.23.182Corinthians2.14–6.13.192Corinthians.3.8,9;5.18
17
modernscholarshiptellsusthattheequippingofthesaintsisoneactivity,andanotheristheworkofministry,revealingthesecretofthegospel,‘thegoodnewsoftheunfathomablerichesofChrist’.20Confusingministrywithdiscipleshipisnotsimplyanarcanedifferenceofopinionoverwordsbutaseriousissueaffectingthewaythechurchoperates.In1963,KathleenBlisspointedtothedangerwhen‘jobs’become‘offices’,whenwefoolourselvesintothinkingthattrainingforjobsinchurchmeansfulfillingalayvocation.‘Forwhatthelaitylackisnottheknow-howofsuccessfulmagazinedistribution,butbasicequipmentinunderstandingwhatitmeanstobeaChristian.’21Ministryisalwaystheservantofmission.God’smissionistheoutgoingloveofGodtheHolyTrinityforhiscreationexpressedinthemissionoftheSon:namelytheincarnation,life,death,resurrectionandascensionofourLordJesusChristinwhomGodhasreconciledtheworldtohimselfandthroughwhomtheHolySpirithasbeengiven.ThatmissionChristhascommittedtohisChurchasaroyalpriesthoodinmakingdisciples,baptizing,teachingandbeinghisbodyintheworld.22Good,called,well-trained,accredited,commissionedandaccountableministersinmanyareasofwitnessarevitaltoequiptheChurchforthemissionofGod.Despitethefewwhoscorntheuseoftheword‘mission’,itiswhereGodstartsandends.BothmissionandministryservethepurposeofdrawingpeopleintoarelationshipwithGodtheHolyTrinitythroughfaithinJesusChristsothatallmayenjoyreconciliationinhislove,andthatlifeinourcommunities,churchesandasindividualsmaybeenrichedbytheGospelandreflectthejoyoftheKingdomofGod.However,commissionedministerscannotforgettheneedforfoot-washinghumility,asleader-seekersonacommonjourney,notknowingthewholerouteaheadbuthavingacontagiouspassionforthedestination,humanity’struehomeinGod.Theyarepeoplewhocallothersalongsideinacommonsearchforlove,courage,wisdom,hopeandlife.SodorasMannin
20 Ephesians3.1-1321WethePeople,SCM,1963.22Matthew28.19,20;John20.21,22;Romans1.16,17;12.4-8;1Corinthians12.12-31;Ephesians4.1-16;Colossians1.20;1Peter2.9
18
AppendixThree–Frameworksforpractice;IdentificationandSelectionoflayministersandTraining
Questions SuggestionsWhereisthecurrentstartingpointinyourcontextforhelpingpeoplethinkabouttheirsenseofvocationandforidentifyingpotentiallayministers?
ThatresponsibilityforthisisheldatDiocesanlevel,whilethetasksaredoneatparishlevel.Andthatthereisconsistentfundingforlayvocationsovertimeasevidencesuggestsfluctuationsinresourcingmatchfluctuationsinvocationsidentified.
Whatlanguagedoyouusetodescribewhatyouareaboutwhenyouareidentifyinglayministers?
Thatthereisamovetowardslanguagewhichspeaksofministryascommissionedandaccountableserviceratherthanarolewithinanorganisation.
Whatsupportareyougivingtothoseinvolvedindecisionmakingintheprocessofidentificationofpotentiallayministers?
Thatdecisionmakersarevalued,affirmedandgivenskillsintheirtask.Thatdecisionmakingpracticesareacorporateendeavourandthatthepowertoidentifyapotentiallayministerisnotconcentratedinoneperson.
IndefininganddescribingtheroleswhichareopentolayministersinyourcontextareyouprioritisingtheneedtobuildtheKingdomandtheidentificationofmissionaltasksinlocalcommunities?
Thatallroles,tasksandresponsibilitiesoflayministersarepurposefullyorientatedtowardsbuildingthekingdomnotmaintainingtheorganisation.Thatdiocesesworkwithatheologyofblessingandabundanceratherthanatheologyofshortage
Ifyourcontextcontainsroleswhichinvolveanationallicenceandroleswhichinvolvealocalauthorisationorcommissioninghowdoyouunderstandanddescribethedifference?
Thatthedifferencebetweenanationalauthorisationandalocalauthorisationorcommissioningisbasedontheologicalunderstandingwhichiswellarticulatednotondifferinglevelsoflocalbehaviour.And,thatthistheologyissharedsothatanationalviewoflocalauthorisation/commissioningcanbebuiltup
Howareyoucreatingconnectionsbetweenyourcategoriesofministryandcreatingroutesthroughtheboundariesyouhavecreatedbetweenvariousformsofministry?
Thatitisrecognizedthat,forthehealthofthechurchandthebuildingoftheKingdom,layministryneedsbothorganizationandflexibilityandimagination
Whatdoyouhaveinplacetocreatemutualaccountabilitybetweenallthosewhoparticipateinthesystemsandprocessesforidentifyingpotentiallayministers?
Thattheidentificationoflayministersisasharedendeavourbothinrelationtotheidentificationofanindividualandinrelationtodiocesanandnationalpracticeandlearning.Thatdiocesesareresourcedbynationalconversationstointentionallysharetheirthinkingandlearningaboutidentificationoflayministerswithotherdioceses.
19
Areyousystematicallyplanningforthefutureandreviewingyouridentificationoflayministersinlightofwhatyouknoworimagineaboutthefutureneedsofthechurch?
Thatdiocesesareresourcedtoreflectonandtryoutnewcategoriesoflayministrywhichrelatetothefutureneedsofthechurch.
Questions SuggestionsWhatdoyouneedtodonexttoorientateyourcurrenttrainingopportunitiesforlayministrytowardsthepracticeoflifelongvocationaljourneyingandequipping?
ThatDiocesesreviewtheircurrenttrainingprovisionforlayministerswithaviewtoadaptingthestructureanddeliveryoftrainingsothatindividual,lifelonglearningpathwaysareeasilycreatedandmaintained.Thatthereisamovetowardslanguagewhichtalksaboutlifelonglearningratherthaninitialtraining.
Whatdoyouneedtodotoensurethatyourcurrenttrainingopportunitiesareasaccessibleaspossible?
ThatDiocesesbuildupnon-coursebasedlearningopportunitiessuchasmentoring,apprenticeships,learningcommunitiesandweb-basedlearning.Thatlearningaboutthedeliveryofandthinkingbehindnon-coursebasedlearningopportunitiesiscorporatelyshared.
Ifyouhavecompulsorytrainingpathwaysforparticularroleshowareyouensuringthatthesepathwaysarefitforpurpose?
Thatthereareopportunitiesforgreatersharedunderstandingofthechoicesdiocesesmakewhendesigningtrainingpathways.Thatovertimenationalandregionalconversationswillencourageanddevelopconsistencyinthecontentoftrainingforparticularroles.
Howareyouensuringthatallthetrainingandlearningopportunitiesyouoffermeetsthemissionalneedsofyourdiocesancontextinbothcontentanddelivery?
Thatdiocesessetupamixedgroupoftrainers,seniorstaffandtrainingparticipantstoconstantlyreviewthatthetrainingonofferworkswiththegoldenthreadofthevisionandneedsoftheorganisation.
Whatdoyouneedtodonexttoensurethatlayministersandthosearoundthemhavesimplewaysinwhichtoreviewanddeveloptheirministry?
ThatthroughtheuseofanonlinehubandnationalconversationsDiocesesareresourcedtoprovidetrainingineffectivesupervision,compulsoryroledescriptions,workingagreementsandannualreviewsforalllayministers.
Whatdoyouhaveinplacetocreatemutualaccountabilitywithinthenationalchurchinthecreationanddeliveryoftrainingforlayministry?
Thatdiocesesareresourcedtofindwaystosharetheirthinkingandlearningabouttrainingforlayministers.
20
AppendixFour–DraftGuidanceforAnnualReviewsAnnualReviewGuidanceLicensedandauthorisedlayministryisrepresentativeofthechurch.Itshouldthereforebesupportedbythechurchwithappropriatelystructuredlearningopportunitiesandaccountability.Itisnotaplanningorbusinessmeetingorfororganisingdiariesandschedulesorproducingstatisticalinformation.Theannualreviewisastructuredrelationshipthatshouldenable,supportandgiveconfidencetoyourLayMinistryaswellasvaluingyourministry.Thisshouldinclude:
• developingtheskillsforbeingeffectiveandprovidingappropriatelearningandtrainingtoenableyoutoflourishinyourministry
• reflectingonissuesofpastoralcareandthemissionofthechurch• allowingyouthespacetoinhabittheroleandidentityandtoappropriatelyexerciseboth
authorityandhumility• helpingyoutorecogniseanychallengesandidentifytheskillsandresourcestofacethese• prayerfuldiscernmentofGod’scallingonyourministry• supportandencouragementandanopportunitytoshareconcerns.Partofthiswillinvolve
prayingtogetherandforeachother.• providingasafeandconfidentialplacetotalkthroughthechallengesandanydifficultiesof
therole.• encouragingadeeperself-knowledgeandspiritualmaturity• havingregardforissuesofsafeguardingandgoodpracticeintheexerciseofministry.
WhoconductstheAnnualReview?NormallytheIncumbentorChaplainwilltakeonthisresponsibilityofsupportingyouinyourLayMinistry.TheAnnualReviewisnotdesignedtodealwithanyissuesanddifficultiesthatmayhavearisenduringtheyear.Theseshouldbeaddressedatthetime.TheReviewisanopportunitytoreflectonthepastyearandtolookforwardtakingintoaccountyourtraininganddevelopment,anychallengestobeaddressedandopportunitiestoenableyoutoflourishinyourministry.SufficienttimeshouldbegiventotheReview.Itisalsoimportantthatbothyouandthereviewerspendtimeindividuallybeforethereviewtoreflectonyourministry.Thereisaformincludedtohelpyoutodothisandshouldbecompletedandbroughtalongtothereviewmeetingorsenttothereviewerbeforehandasagreed.AlternativeArrangementsShouldyouconsiderforwhateverreasonthatitisnotappropriateorpossibleforyourincumbenttoconductyourannualreviewthenyoushouldcontacttheDiocesanofficetodiscussanalternativearrangement.Thismayinvolvemeetingwithamentortodiscussthesituation.Itwillbeimportanttounderstandthattheintentionwouldnotbetohaveanotherpersontoconductyourreviewonaregularbasis.Itwillbecrucialtoworkwiththementorandtheincumbenttoimprovethesituationandrelationshipasappropriateandcometoamutuallyagreedposition.LEARNINGPORTFOLIOAlearningportfolioisalogthatgivesevidenceoflearningthroughatrainingcourseand/orthroughexperienceandreflection.ItisgoodpracticeforallinAuthorisedMinistrytoestablishandkeepsuchaportfoliooflearning.Thismightinvolveabriefaccountofsomepracticalsituations,whichhasbeenexploredinsupervision,notingwhatwaslearnedthroughreflectingonit.
21
AppendixFive–Diocesansurveyresults
22
23
24
25
26
27