The Diocese of Minnesota prepares for its future
The Bishop and people of the Diocese of Minnesota commissioned a study group and asked them to look hard at the present state of the diocese and its immediate future. The answer they found is not a happy one. But they have developed a plan to respond to what they found.
From the report:
The Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota is at a critical juncture in its life. Almost every measurable trend is downward. Courageous and visionary efforts to address this reality over the past several decades have not succeeded in any measurable way. Apart from a significant change in the way the diocese conceives of its life and engages in its ministry, the BCMS holds out little hope that these patterns will be reversed in the future. That is why this process has focused on rethinking, reframing and reclaiming the identity and purpose of the diocese. Recommendations regarding these matters constitute the first part of this report. The plan outlined on the following pages is designed to build on and help implement the identity and purpose that have been named. It assumes that the following critical realities need to be understood, accepted and addressed.
The plan proposed by the Commission has four primary goals:
- Goal 1: Spiritual Transformation and Fuller Participation in God’s Mission
For the congregations in the Diocese of Minnesota to experience a profound sense of shared spiritual transformation and theological renewal, which leads all Minnesota Episcopalians to participate more fully in God’s mission in our world.- Goal 2: Renew Congregations in Context
For every congregation to connect or re-connect its ministry directly to its particular mission field and become communities in which discipleship is a way of life for all God’s people.- Goal 3: Recreate the Diocese as a Network
To redevelop the entire diocese by the end of 2009 to function primarily as a network of congregations and ministries. These networks will exercise local initiative and responsibility for shared ministry in their contexts.- Goal 4: Develop Effective Stewardship of Financial Resources
For the diocese to develop and implement fiscal strategies that make the best use of the resources God has entrusted to us, and to challenge and motivate all Episcopalians to generous and faithful giving.
The full report is here in PDF format.
I've not read it, but from this synopsis this looks to be a really boffo report on a comprehensive reform that aims to provide a set of strategies and, importantly, a structure that complements those strategies. I look forward to reading more.
The old ways are not working. Tinkering with the existing structure is not likely to be produce a successful solution. May this report not just gather dust on a shelf.
Posted by John B. Chilton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
|
November 29, 2007 9:40 AM
I thought this was a terric report. Very honest. The Church's enemies have argued that all its difficulties viz. membership numbers stem from its gradual embrace of a more liberal theology. Those loyal to the church, then, have had a tendency to downplay the importance of these membership loses for fear of playing into our opponents hands. In reality, we have serious membership problems, few of which stem from our theology, but we've been to cowed to admit that and begin to address them.
So three cheers for Minnesota.
Posted by Jim Naughton![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
|
November 29, 2007 10:06 AM
The State of the Church Committee of the House of Deputies also admits the need for assessment of current and future life here.
Posted by Ann Fontaine![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
|
November 29, 2007 7:20 PM