LSM Mini-Conference

The Local Shared Ministry Project Group has been meeting monthly to discuss LSM and how it might be implemented in Milton Keynes. Although the meetings have been good value and always filled with enagaging discussion, we have often felt that two hours was only enought to scratch the surface. We've also been conscious of the need to widen the conversation and involve more people. Tim Clapton therefore suggested that we hold an away day or mini-conference to give ourselves more time.

We were therefore joined by Brenda Mosedale (Methodist Superintenedent), David Tatum (URC - with four hats to wear - one real), Bev Hollins (Deanery Development Officer from Newport) and Wendy Carey (Associate Priest from Water Eaton).

It was a really helpful day which we all felt was well worth giving time to. We spent the morning reviewing the journey so far and Peter compared LSM to Paul's model of ministry in Thessalonians - which was helpful and will hopefully be recorded somewhere. In the afternoon we looked at our notes on the flip chart and discussed future action:

Future work will include:

• Mapping existing collaborative ministry patterns in churches and partnerships - The LSM Project Group will determine a list of questions.
  
• Denominational Possibilities - We will attempt to produce a spreadsheet/grid which identifies what is possible within the five denominations. The LSM Project Group will determine what categories will be included.
  
• Theologies - We will also look at various theologies which define why we do things - from denominational and post-denominational perspectives
• Recognition - We will discuss appropriate ways for denominations (and others) to recognise and approve LSM communities at various stages of their journey - this will include work on a potential "covenant service" to celebrate the launch of "a new ministry".
• Companion - following our discussions today we have more material to help us in the creation of a job description for companions - Alison will follow this up.
• Passing on the idea - There is still a great deal to do to look at how a community will continue its development with consistency and vision as individuals come and go...
• Case Studies - We want to look at some real world examples and see what we can learn - we did play with a couple in the afternoon which helped identify potential issues...
• The New Zealand Model - this is becoming a piece of unhelpful baggage which is blocking the ability of people to hear what we are saying. We need to make it clear that the MK "brand" is different from the model we initially explored...
• Presidents - when we next report we will be presenting out "What is LSM?" document. We may need to request an opportinuity for a few of us to meet the presidents - particularly to discuss the approval/recognition issue...

There were many other issues that we discussed but these are a few concrete actions that will happen in the next phase of the project...

It was a good day - we must do it again sometime...