While I was away the diocese of Oxford issues its figures for 2010, including proposed deanery share increases and the cost of ministry. The overall budget is only going up by 2.5% but the share for Milton Keynes is still going up by 7.5% because we are still running at a shortfall.
In a time of recession and as people face difficult decisions - both in business and in church life - it's worth reflecting on some of these figures.
The overall cost of Anglican ministry in Milton Keynes in 2010 will be £717,044 which covers 17 full time ministers and various non-stipendiaries. It also includes a contribution to the work of the diocese from 28 churches - which covers our work with schools, mission, training and parish support. Cheap at the cost, you may say...
The diocese gives us four free posts because we have areas of deprivation. This does enable us to contribute a post to the Christian Foundation, and pay for a Development Chaplain, and (in theory) support some of the churches in less prosperous areas.
In reality we only pay a fraction of the cost of ministry in Milton Keynes. Our Deanery Share next year - which has gone up by 7.5% - will still only be £546,931 - and we are only intending to pay £462,122 - and may not even reach that target since at least one of our parishes will probably default because they think £16,000 is too much...
I n other words we will be benefiting next year from £254,923 which will need to come from other Deaneries and parishes in Oxford Diocese. A quarter of a million pounds!
And my point? It's not really very fair to complain about the diocese and say that they're not supporting us - or that they should give more. Over the past forty years they have been incredibly generous and supportive to mission in Milton Keynes. We can't ask for more! We should really be incredibly thankful.
Our challenge is still to put our own house in order. We need to keep increasing our contributions until they are more appropriate to the ministry we deploy. We need to think more carefully about the way we use our full-time clergy - and we need to give ourselves a bit more flexibility so that we can deploy extra ministry into situations of particular need or opportunity.
I believe that we need to adopt an attitude of generous sustainability. We need to be generous, because this isn't about us or our needs, it's about God and his mission. We need to be sustainable, because that is the only way we can witness to a world of consumerism, consumption and greed. At a time of recession, ecological crisis and debt, the Church needs to show the way forward into a different world...
Showing posts with label deanery. Show all posts
Showing posts with label deanery. Show all posts
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Monday, 13 July 2009
Sports Day
Sports Day at Christ the Sower today! An afternoon standing around waiting while watching our children stand around waiting to run along the track and then wait around again... Fortunately, rain stopped play after each of ours had done something, so we were released an hour early! Hooray - and back to work - after a quick coffee...
Spent the morning in Bletchley waiting for the car to be serviced. Found a table in Ikea and sat down to do some work with a free refill glass... The only way to work!
This evening I'm meeting the Finance Committee for our first look at the 2010 share allocations. I've printed off a number of sheets, including my fantasy 2018 spreadsheet - in which we not only break even but overpay by £10,000! All I need is to do in order to achieve this is to persuade a couple of parishes to increase their parish share by 10% per year for the next nine years...
The more realistic projections leaves us short by 50K - the reality will hopefully be somewhere in between...
Spent the morning in Bletchley waiting for the car to be serviced. Found a table in Ikea and sat down to do some work with a free refill glass... The only way to work!
This evening I'm meeting the Finance Committee for our first look at the 2010 share allocations. I've printed off a number of sheets, including my fantasy 2018 spreadsheet - in which we not only break even but overpay by £10,000! All I need is to do in order to achieve this is to persuade a couple of parishes to increase their parish share by 10% per year for the next nine years...
The more realistic projections leaves us short by 50K - the reality will hopefully be somewhere in between...
Saturday, 4 July 2009
Deanery News
Dear all,
Summer is now upon us and we are all enjoying, or enduring, the heat. I hope you are able to make the most of this season and can find time for rest and relaxation. Here are a few key notices which I need to circulate:
Living Faith in Milton Keynes
A draft Deanery Plan was launched at the Deanery Pastoral Committee on Wednesday 1st July. It was produced after six months of reflection and discussion and reflects a great deal of thought. It will be discussed at Synod on the 23rd September, but the deadline for comments will be the end of October. We intend to put a the new plan to the Synod for formal ratification on January 27th 2010. This time-scale has been lengthened so that there is plenty of time for people to comment and contribute to our thinking so that we develop a really useful strategy for mission and ministry.
There are ten hard copies for each church, but you can download an electronic copy from www.livingfaith.mkdeanery.org - You can also view the draft plan on-line and make comments.
Please do have a look. We hope that this process will give us more clarity about our work together and the way we can support each other in mission and ministry.
Tim Clapton
Our development Chaplain, Tim Clapton, has decided to move to London but will be working with us part-time over the coming year to help us think about his future. For more details, please see his newsletter, or follow this link: Tim Clapton.
Mission Shaped Ministry
We are hosting a major regional mission course next year which is a huge opportunity for us in Milton Keynes. For more details about the course visit: msm. To book a place call or email Peter Ballantine.
Deanery Secretary
We are looking for a volunteer to act as Deanery Secretary. The Deanery has a part-time administrator who works two hours a week. This is really helpful but we also need a lay volunteer to focus on minutes and agendas so that things run smoothly. For more details, please download the Deanery Secretary Job Description.
Deanery Lay Chair
We are also looking for a new Deanery Lay Chair now that Paul Bright has completed his term of office. We will miss Paul since he had built up a great deal of wisdom and experience. Over the next couple of months we will be asking people to nominate a new Lay Chair, so please share any thoughts you may have. For more details, please see Lay Chair's Responsibilities, Lay Chair in Milton Keynes Deanery or download the Diocesan Handbook for Area Deans and Lay Chairs.
Fresh Expressions
Looking ahead to the Autumn, a small group has been formed to develop CafeChurch in Milton Keynes - starting in the City Centre working with Christ Cornerstone. If you'ld like to be part of this project, please let me know.
There will also be a FEAST Day on Sunday September 27th between 4:00pm and 7:00pm which will be an opportunity for networking, conversations and tasters. I'll send more details out soon but do pop it in your diary if you think it may be for you...
Have a great summer, all the best,
Tim Norwood
Summer is now upon us and we are all enjoying, or enduring, the heat. I hope you are able to make the most of this season and can find time for rest and relaxation. Here are a few key notices which I need to circulate:
Living Faith in Milton Keynes
A draft Deanery Plan was launched at the Deanery Pastoral Committee on Wednesday 1st July. It was produced after six months of reflection and discussion and reflects a great deal of thought. It will be discussed at Synod on the 23rd September, but the deadline for comments will be the end of October. We intend to put a the new plan to the Synod for formal ratification on January 27th 2010. This time-scale has been lengthened so that there is plenty of time for people to comment and contribute to our thinking so that we develop a really useful strategy for mission and ministry.
There are ten hard copies for each church, but you can download an electronic copy from www.livingfaith.mkdeanery.org - You can also view the draft plan on-line and make comments.
Please do have a look. We hope that this process will give us more clarity about our work together and the way we can support each other in mission and ministry.
Tim Clapton
Our development Chaplain, Tim Clapton, has decided to move to London but will be working with us part-time over the coming year to help us think about his future. For more details, please see his newsletter, or follow this link: Tim Clapton.
Mission Shaped Ministry
We are hosting a major regional mission course next year which is a huge opportunity for us in Milton Keynes. For more details about the course visit: msm. To book a place call or email Peter Ballantine.
Deanery Secretary
We are looking for a volunteer to act as Deanery Secretary. The Deanery has a part-time administrator who works two hours a week. This is really helpful but we also need a lay volunteer to focus on minutes and agendas so that things run smoothly. For more details, please download the Deanery Secretary Job Description.
Deanery Lay Chair
We are also looking for a new Deanery Lay Chair now that Paul Bright has completed his term of office. We will miss Paul since he had built up a great deal of wisdom and experience. Over the next couple of months we will be asking people to nominate a new Lay Chair, so please share any thoughts you may have. For more details, please see Lay Chair's Responsibilities, Lay Chair in Milton Keynes Deanery or download the Diocesan Handbook for Area Deans and Lay Chairs.
Fresh Expressions
Looking ahead to the Autumn, a small group has been formed to develop CafeChurch in Milton Keynes - starting in the City Centre working with Christ Cornerstone. If you'ld like to be part of this project, please let me know.
There will also be a FEAST Day on Sunday September 27th between 4:00pm and 7:00pm which will be an opportunity for networking, conversations and tasters. I'll send more details out soon but do pop it in your diary if you think it may be for you...
Have a great summer, all the best,
Tim Norwood
Lay Chair in Milton Keynes Deanery
As Paul Bright comes to the end of his time as Lay Chair, we need to look for someone to take over. The position of Deanery Lay Chair is a very significant one in any deanery and we need to find someone who has wisdom and clears gifts in leadership and administration. It is however a role within a team, and we don't need someone who can do everything by themselves.
In Milton Keynes we have developed a 'Deanery Leadership Team' which includes the Area Dean, Associate Area Dean, Treasurer, Secretary, Ecumenical Officer and Chapter Clerk. This team shares responsibility and is supported by a part-time Administrator, paid for by the Diocese. Although the Deanery Leadership Team was only set up a couple of years ago, it has already made a huge difference, helping deanery officers to work together and support each other in shared tasks and leadership.
We need to find a good Lay Chair who will join this team and share responsibility with others. This person needs to be an elected member of the 'house of laity' so must be an existing member of Synod. Please think and pray about this and consider who you feel is called to become our next Lay Chair. I will be writing to Synod members soon to ask for nominations.
In Milton Keynes we have developed a 'Deanery Leadership Team' which includes the Area Dean, Associate Area Dean, Treasurer, Secretary, Ecumenical Officer and Chapter Clerk. This team shares responsibility and is supported by a part-time Administrator, paid for by the Diocese. Although the Deanery Leadership Team was only set up a couple of years ago, it has already made a huge difference, helping deanery officers to work together and support each other in shared tasks and leadership.
We need to find a good Lay Chair who will join this team and share responsibility with others. This person needs to be an elected member of the 'house of laity' so must be an existing member of Synod. Please think and pray about this and consider who you feel is called to become our next Lay Chair. I will be writing to Synod members soon to ask for nominations.
Lay Chair's Responsibilities
THE LAY CHAIR : DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As part of the team sharing in the episcope with the Bishop, the role of the Area Dean and the Deanery Lay Chair, working together, is:
- to lead and unite the deanery
- to foster the well-being of the deanery's clergy and people
- to foster the development of the mission of the Church in the deanery, diocese and beyond.
Duties of the Lay Chair under the Synodical Government Measure 1969
1. To act as joint Chair of the deanery synod with the Area Dean, ‘they shall agree between them who shall chair each meeting of the synod or particular items of business on the agenda of the synod’ (see CRR23(1)a), and to chair meetings of the deanery house of laity. It is appropriate for both synod and standing committee that the chairing of meetings should alternate between the Area Dean and the Lay Chair, or be shared. The Lay Chair is ex officio chair of the deanery House of Laity.
2. Jointly with the Area Dean to call meetings of deanery synod and to determine the date and places of such meetings with the deanery standing committee.
3. In the terms of the Pastoral Measure 1983, (s)he is to be consulted as an interested party on all matters of pastoral re-organisation.
Overall objectives of the Lay Chair
1. To encourage the deanery laity to participate fully in the planning and running of the affairs of the deanery, and especially to encourage attendance at synod meetings.
2. To facilitate a two-way channel of information between the deanery laity and the wider Church.
3. In order to discharge these responsibilities, (s)he may convene occasional meetings of the house of laity. Some Lay Chairs find it helpful to share regularly in worship at all churches within their Deanery, to get to know churchwardens and PCC Treasurers in their deanery and, by invitation, to meet PCCs.
Guidelines for non-statutory responsibilities
The Deanery Lay Chair is expected
- To attend institutions and licensings and to welcome new clergy on behalf of the laity of the deanery.
- To respond to the notification of a vacancy in the post of Area Dean and to make recommendations regarding the nomination of a new Area Dean.
- To be an ex-officio member of all deanery committees.
- To conduct together with the Area Dean, the Visitation of the parishes (see p9) and to check presentment forms in advance of the Archdeacon’s Visitation.
- To respond to requests made by the Bishop or by other appointing bodies, for information and advice about deanery appointments.
- To make arrangements for the assessment of parishes for the payment of Parish Share. They should help the deanery standing Committee to apportion and collect the Deanery Share, and to encourage parishes to pay their contribution on time. They are expected to support the Chairman of the Diocesan Board of Finance in communicating with parishes in their Deanery, and with educating them on Christian giving and the financial facts of Church life. The deanery may appoint a Parish Share Committee.
- To encourage parishes in speedy return of accounts and other requests for membership and attendance returns.
- To be responsible for ensuring that the regular programme for Quinquennial Inspections of each church in the deanery is carried out, through either the deanery standing committee or an appointed deanery Quinquennial officer.
- To be available with the Area Dean to visit each parish in the deanery, by arrangement, to meet the incumbent and other staff, both lay and clerical, and the PCC to discuss matters of common pastoral concern.
- To work with the Bishop and the Deanery Pastoral Committee to ensure that the wider mission needs of the deanery are taken into account. These will supplement, but not replace, the parish’s own representations. However, if a Vacancy Meeting is convened, both the Area Dean and the Lay Chair will be invited to attend.
- To share with the Area Dean in the spiritual and strategic leadership of the Deanery by developing its strategy for mission in and to the community it serves. They should foster the corporate life of the deanery and encourage local initiatives appropriate to the work of the Kingdom of God in their area.
- To be fully briefed about the proceedings of Synod. Lay Chairs are encouraged to stand for election to Diocesan Synod.
Tim Clapton
Note from Tim Clapton:
The Development Chaplain and the Future
Contract End - October 2010
There are now only 18 months left of my contract so we need to start considering priorities for these final months and what will happen once we reach October 2010. What is important is that we consider carefully possible funding after October 2010 and what that person will do.
We will need to make a strong argument for another post and such future work must respond to our local mission aspirations. So it is important that I spend time in the next four months researching the needs and aspirations of the local church and putting together a solid proposal and budget for a future post. All this work will need to be completed by February 2010. Beginning in August I will be visiting most of the clergy and key lay people in the urban area of
Tim is 'Moving Forward'
For some time now I have been considering how I might explore some work/ministry options and do some study etc and yet also continue my work here in
For now Dear Reader it is with excitement that I write to you and I hope you will join me in prayer for this new kind of living. Although I will be leaving
If you know of anyone who would like to rent a three bedroom Victorian terraced house, good order, in a great location for the train station and at a reasonable monthly rent - they may contact me ! (how about that for a shameless piece of advertising ? )
Thursday, 2 July 2009
Mission Shaped Ministry
A year to be equipped in planting and sustaining fresh expressions of churchmission shaped ministry, a national ecumenical course backed by the Church of England, Methodist Church and other denominations and aimed at helping people to establish fresh expressions of church across the country, is ‘gathering momentum and exceeding all expectations.’ The one year part-time course launches in Milton Keynes in September 2009. Already over 1,000 people nationwide are or have been on the course, which focuses on new areas of outreach that engage with those outside the reach of the traditional church. Students include youth leaders, church council members, readers, ministers, home group leaders and anybody wanting to reach out in new ways.
Norman Ivison of Fresh Expressions confirmed that msm was designed to help those starting or thinking about new ways of being church. ‘Even in an area where traditional churchgoing is often seen as being strong, churches are still reaching less than 10% of the population most weeks. msm can give you the tools you need to reach those well off our radar’ he claimed.
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has also offered his support: ‘The next big step in taking fresh expressions of church forward is making the right kind of training available in every part of the country. The mission shaped ministry course looks set to make a major contribution here and I’m delighted to commend it.’
Bishop John Pritchard says, ‘We need a variety of shapes of church to connect with people in today's world. mission shaped ministry will help those trying to do imaginative things to create new Christian communities and to make disciples. I heartily support this exciting new initiative.’
Locally the course is being headed up by a team which includes Tim Clapton (Milton Keynes Development Chaplain), Tim Norwood (Anglican Area Dean of Milton Keynes), Peter Ballantine (Milton Keynes Mission Partnership Training Officer), Keith Beech-Gruneberg (Director of Studies for the Oxford Diocese) and Tim Woolley (Methodist District Director of Mission). We have already booked Stuart Murray-Williams, Graham Cray and Jenny Ellis as speakers.
In other regions, clergy and lay people are training together in teams. They then identify opportunities and possibilities in their communities and networks and go home each month ready to try new things.
Dates and Times:The course also offers participating teams the opportunity to make the most of a mission coach, someone who will come alongside them and help them establish new ways of being church. The course will cost £230 for individual participants, but £200 each for groups of two and £180 each for groups of three or more. The fees include the full cost of the residential. It would be good for local churches to support those who take part, both financially and with prayer.September 16th 2009
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Introduction / The Mission of GodSeptember 23rd 2009
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Mission Context and the Mixed EconomySeptember 30th 2009
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Vision and CallOctober 7th 2009
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Missional Values
Residential with Graham Cray
4th to 6th December 2009
At Feldon Lodge, Hemel Hempstead
Team Roles,
Preparation for Mission,
Research and Mission Audit,
Learning Networks and Share,
Leadership, What is church?
Saturday 6th February 2010
with Stuart Murray-Williams
9.30am-4.00pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Gospel and culture,
Opposition,
setbacks and failureSaturday 6th March 2010
Wednesday 28th April 2010
with Jenny Ellis
9.30am-4.00pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Spirituality, Discipleship
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Growing a FX to maturityWednesday 5th May 2010
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
WorshipWednesday 12th May 2010
Wednesday 19th May 2010
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Evangelism
7:30pm to 9:30pm at Christ Church, Stantonbury
Reflecting back and sending out
For further details, please contact:
Revd Tim Norwood (Area Dean of Milton Keynes)
Revd Dr Keith Beech-Gruneberg
(Director of Studies, Diocese of Oxford)
Revd Tim Woolley (Methodist District Director of Mission)
www.freshexpressionsmk.org.uk
Thursday, 18 June 2009
Notes
Deanery Plan 2009
First Draft
This draft Deanery Plan has been produced after a long period of review, conversation, consultation, listening and discussion which began in January 2009.
This is intended to be a draft document which will act as a starting point for discussion. It is not being offered for a yes/no vote, but is an invitation for further reflection. Everything in this document should be regarded as “up for discussion”.
Please feed all your thoughts, ideas and comments in to me by Monday 7th September when the Deanery Strategy Group will meet again. [Deadline now October 31st]
We will then aim to present a final proposal at Deanery Synod on Wednesday 23rd September. [Now discussion at Synod on 23rd September followed by decision in January 2010]
Home - Back - Forward
First Draft
This draft Deanery Plan has been produced after a long period of review, conversation, consultation, listening and discussion which began in January 2009.
This is intended to be a draft document which will act as a starting point for discussion. It is not being offered for a yes/no vote, but is an invitation for further reflection. Everything in this document should be regarded as “up for discussion”.
Please feed all your thoughts, ideas and comments in to me by Monday 7th September when the Deanery Strategy Group will meet again. [Deadline now October 31st]
We will then aim to present a final proposal at Deanery Synod on Wednesday 23rd September. [Now discussion at Synod on 23rd September followed by decision in January 2010]
Home - Back - Forward
Living Faith in Milton Keynes
Strategy for Mission and MinistryIn Milton Keynes Deanery: 2009
Download the Document as a pdfNotes: What is this document?
Introduction: Living Faith in Milton Keynes
Sustaining the Sacred Centre
Making Disciples
Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership
Creating Vibrant Christian Communities
Making a Difference in the World
Appendix A: Our Understanding of Ecumenism
Appendix B: Our Transition Plan
Appendix C: The Dream of the LSM Project Group
Appendix D: Meetings, Teams, Groups and Committees
Introduction: Living Faith in Milton Keynes
Living Faith in Milton Keynes
In a time of global economic and ecological problems it is important that local churches dig deep to discover rich spiritual and theological resources that will help them to respond in a meaningful way.
In Milton Keynes, the concept of “sustainability” is crucially important. We need to find ways of sustaining ourselves by re-focusing on the Risen Christ who should always be at the centre of our life and work. We need to find sustainable patterns of discipleship in a society which encourages long working hours and produces over-burdened and over-stressed people. We need sustainable and vibrant Christian communities which will continue to make a difference in society. We need a sustainable approach to ministry which will in turn sustain, encourage and develop individual believers and communities across the city.
“Sustainability” is a response to the call of Christ to be good stewards of all that he has entrusted to us.
“Sustainability” is also essential if we are to keep on serving the communities in which we are set. Sustainable Christian communities are often able to stay active when all else fails. They are God’s generous gift to human society.
Finally, “sustainability” is a witness to a world obsessed with the consumption and accumulation of more and more - money, wealth, popularity and power. A church which truly understands sustainability has a great deal to share with the people around it.
This strategic plan for mission and ministry uses the framework of the diocesan vision statement, Living Faith, but it has been developed in relation to our specific local context. It is an Anglican strategy for the Anglican Deanery, but it has been thought through with an awareness of our local ecumenical situation (see Appendix A for more about our approach to ecumenism).
It is only intended to inform decisions at deanery level, but we hope it will also prove helpful for the churches and parishes of Milton Keynes.
Home - Back - Forward
In a time of global economic and ecological problems it is important that local churches dig deep to discover rich spiritual and theological resources that will help them to respond in a meaningful way.
In Milton Keynes, the concept of “sustainability” is crucially important. We need to find ways of sustaining ourselves by re-focusing on the Risen Christ who should always be at the centre of our life and work. We need to find sustainable patterns of discipleship in a society which encourages long working hours and produces over-burdened and over-stressed people. We need sustainable and vibrant Christian communities which will continue to make a difference in society. We need a sustainable approach to ministry which will in turn sustain, encourage and develop individual believers and communities across the city.
“Sustainability” is a response to the call of Christ to be good stewards of all that he has entrusted to us.“Sustainability” is also essential if we are to keep on serving the communities in which we are set. Sustainable Christian communities are often able to stay active when all else fails. They are God’s generous gift to human society.
Finally, “sustainability” is a witness to a world obsessed with the consumption and accumulation of more and more - money, wealth, popularity and power. A church which truly understands sustainability has a great deal to share with the people around it.
This strategic plan for mission and ministry uses the framework of the diocesan vision statement, Living Faith, but it has been developed in relation to our specific local context. It is an Anglican strategy for the Anglican Deanery, but it has been thought through with an awareness of our local ecumenical situation (see Appendix A for more about our approach to ecumenism).
It is only intended to inform decisions at deanery level, but we hope it will also prove helpful for the churches and parishes of Milton Keynes.
Home - Back - Forward
Sustaining the Sacred Centre
Sustaining the Sacred Centre
There is a “sacred centre” to our life as disciples and communities and that centre is God. When we loose our focus on him or allow something else to steal our attention, it is inevitable that we become weary, tired and purposeless - and begin to loose hope.
In Milton Keynes we are conscious that church life can often be dominated by meetings and responsibilities. There is so much that we can do or feel we should engage with. At the same time we often unintentionally give the impression that the maintenance of our church institutions is the only way that God’s people can serve him - or that God is only concerned with things that happen in church.
It is important that we give each other permission and time to encounter God. Our life with God is like a fresh spring or a deep well that will sustains us and helps us to live.
The Deanery of Milton Keynes will:
“This is about encouraging and enabling clergy and lay people to deepen their enjoyment of God, and to recognise God’s presence in everyday life.”Christian discipleship can be a hard path to follow and there are often real challenges for us to face. We all need to realise that it is impossible to serve Christ without the resources that come from our relationship with him.
There is a “sacred centre” to our life as disciples and communities and that centre is God. When we loose our focus on him or allow something else to steal our attention, it is inevitable that we become weary, tired and purposeless - and begin to loose hope.
In Milton Keynes we are conscious that church life can often be dominated by meetings and responsibilities. There is so much that we can do or feel we should engage with. At the same time we often unintentionally give the impression that the maintenance of our church institutions is the only way that God’s people can serve him - or that God is only concerned with things that happen in church.
It is important that we give each other permission and time to encounter God. Our life with God is like a fresh spring or a deep well that will sustains us and helps us to live.
The Deanery of Milton Keynes will:
- Seek to provide more space for prayer in deanery meetings. This will
- require more discipline and careful planning. There is no reason why
- meetings should not finish before 9:30pm and include serious time for
- corporate worship and prayer.
- Encourage deanery chapter to take the lead. Chapter should give more
- priority to their own enjoyment of God and should make time for away
- days, times of prayer and other opportunities for refreshment.
- Continue to look for ways to develop prayer and spirituality. This should be
- a priority for the work of the synod. There will therefore need to be regular
- space to share and discuss ideas and good practice.
Making Disciples
Making Disciples
Jesus called people to follow him and learn from him. These disciples were then given the task of calling more people to join them as they continued to extend the circle of Christ’s community. We are disciples who make disciples.
Discipleship is a life-long journey and one which we are all called to make. As churches we should therefore seek to provide opportunities for all ages to grow as people of God. We should seek to nurture those within the church and those who are not yet members.
In Milton Keynes many of our churches are very good at discipleship; others
could do with more help, support resources and encouragement.
Courses and Programmes
One possible way of assisting people in their development as disciples is to make courses available on a regular basis. It is also helpful to have people who are consciously nurturing, mentoring or encouraging others.
Alpha MK has been promoting the Alpha course for some time and it would be good for us to encourage local churches to put on more regular courses for discipleship and nurture, including Alpha, Emmaus, Essence and so on...
While it is good to have courses focused on new disciples, we also need opportunities for existing
church members to grow and develop. There are a number of possibilities available, including the CPAS course, Growing Leaders, which has already been used by two of our parishes.
Putting on high quality courses and programmes can require a huge amount of effort, time and resources, so it may be good to look for opportunities to work together in wider partnerships.
Fresh Expressions
Many people are able to grow and flourish as Christians within existing and inherited forms of church. The Church of England believes that we also need fresh expressions of church which are primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet members of any church. There are various ideas in circulation including CaféChurch, alternative worship, Messy Church, new monasticism and so on... These options are not for everyone, but they should become part of our tool kit as churches. Some of them will be developed by local churches, but others may be cross-parochial and require us to think and work together as a deanery.
We have a fresh expressions project group in Milton Keynes which is in the process of becoming a FEAST (a Fresh Expressions Area Strategy Team). This group is working to inspire and inform, provide training, build networks and support our entrepreneurs. It would be good for the deanery to support this work.
Discipleship must be a priority area for us but we should also encourage a healthy, balanced and sustainable approach. We need to promote an understanding of Christian life and service which encompasses the whole of our lives, not just the things we do in church. We also need to ensure that we are all giving time to “sustain the sacred centre” of our own lives and that no-one is overstretched or exhausted by their commitment to the church.
The Deanery of Milton Keynes will:
“This is about the core task left to us by Jesus. It usually takes theDisciples who make Disciples
form of accompanying people on a journey to faith by the inten-
tional use of nurture courses, mentoring, the catechumenate, or
simple friendship.”
Jesus called people to follow him and learn from him. These disciples were then given the task of calling more people to join them as they continued to extend the circle of Christ’s community. We are disciples who make disciples.
Discipleship is a life-long journey and one which we are all called to make. As churches we should therefore seek to provide opportunities for all ages to grow as people of God. We should seek to nurture those within the church and those who are not yet members.
In Milton Keynes many of our churches are very good at discipleship; others
could do with more help, support resources and encouragement.
Courses and Programmes
One possible way of assisting people in their development as disciples is to make courses available on a regular basis. It is also helpful to have people who are consciously nurturing, mentoring or encouraging others.
Alpha MK has been promoting the Alpha course for some time and it would be good for us to encourage local churches to put on more regular courses for discipleship and nurture, including Alpha, Emmaus, Essence and so on...
While it is good to have courses focused on new disciples, we also need opportunities for existing
church members to grow and develop. There are a number of possibilities available, including the CPAS course, Growing Leaders, which has already been used by two of our parishes.
Putting on high quality courses and programmes can require a huge amount of effort, time and resources, so it may be good to look for opportunities to work together in wider partnerships.
Fresh Expressions
Many people are able to grow and flourish as Christians within existing and inherited forms of church. The Church of England believes that we also need fresh expressions of church which are primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet members of any church. There are various ideas in circulation including CaféChurch, alternative worship, Messy Church, new monasticism and so on... These options are not for everyone, but they should become part of our tool kit as churches. Some of them will be developed by local churches, but others may be cross-parochial and require us to think and work together as a deanery.
We have a fresh expressions project group in Milton Keynes which is in the process of becoming a FEAST (a Fresh Expressions Area Strategy Team). This group is working to inspire and inform, provide training, build networks and support our entrepreneurs. It would be good for the deanery to support this work.
Discipleship must be a priority area for us but we should also encourage a healthy, balanced and sustainable approach. We need to promote an understanding of Christian life and service which encompasses the whole of our lives, not just the things we do in church. We also need to ensure that we are all giving time to “sustain the sacred centre” of our own lives and that no-one is overstretched or exhausted by their commitment to the church.
The Deanery of Milton Keynes will:
- Encourage and support Alpha MK.
- Support the development of fresh expressions in Milton Keynes.
- Provide opportunities for churches and individuals to learn more about the tools and programmes which could be used to nurture disciples.
- Provide some financial support for parishes who want to launch new initiatives aimed at “making disciples”. We would like to make £500 available to each parish from our reserves.
- Hold each other accountable for the way we spend our time. We must keep on reminding each other of the need for a balanced and healthy approach to life and work.
- Continue to look for ways to equip and support discipleship in local churches. This should be a priority for the work of the synod. There will therefore need to be regular space to share and discuss ideas and good practice.
Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership
Shaping Confident, Collaborative Leadership
The Anglican Church understands ministry in three dimensions:
Many of our lay people are willing to play active roles within the church community. We believe that it is important that we continue to develop ways of training, authorising and supporting lay people who are called to service in the Church. We observe an increasing tendency for lay people to be involved in leading worship, preaching, administration and pastoral care. This should be regarded as a good thing and the deanery must continue to look for ways to encourage the positive development of lay ministry.
All baptised members of the Church in Milton Keynes are called to serve Christ within the church family and also in the communities where they live and work. This calling is crucially important and we should always remember that the deanery exists to enable a local ministry of loving service and Christian witness to happen.
Ordained, Licensed and Authorised Ministry
We believe that ordained, licensed and authorised ministry is important for the task of nurturing and sustaining the Christian community in Milton Keynes. Our “professional” ministers are trained and authorised by the Church and have a particular role to play.
One key role that they have is the nurture of disciples and they are specifically called to do this through ministries of word and sacrament. We need high quality preaching and meaningful sacramental services.
Our ordained, licensed and authorised ministers are also called to be a visible presence in the world. We recognise that it is impossible for them to be in all places at all times, but there is value in identifying the right occasions for there to be an “official” presence.
The Changing Role of Incumbents
Incumbent clergy have a particular role to play and this role will become increasingly important during the time of transition in which we find ourselves. We recognise that the population of Milton Keynes is rising while we can no-longer sustain the high ratio of stipends to members that we have enjoyed in the past. At the same time the numbers of non-stipendiary ministers are rising and we are encouraging a more collaborative approach to ministry.
Incumbents are called to a priestly ministry within their community but will need to share this calling with others. We expect to see more local teams inour parishes and these teams will include an increasingly diverse collection of people; ranging from associate clergy to youth workers and administrators.
Incumbents will inevitably need to exercise a more episcopal role, acting as those who oversee the work of their churches, speaking to them and for them, empowering others in ministry and tending their churches’ development as authentic expressions of Christ’s body. This role is expressed theologically in the concept of the “cure of souls” which they share with the bishop.
This more episcopal role will be particularly important as the numbers of stipendiary clergy decline while the numbers of Christian communities rise as a result of God’s mission. It is important that we release incumbents from some of their existing duties so that they can fulfil this evolving call. It is also important that we enable them to continue to express their priestly and diaconal calling in appropriate and sustainable ways.
The challenge for us in Milton Keynes is to work towards a sustainable model of Christian ministry. We need to be financially sustainable, but we also need a sustainable approach to ministry in which each individual has a clear and achievable role. Working towards this new model will begin with a re-think of the duties and responsibilities that incumbents take on.
Filling Gaps or Responding to Call
In the past there has been a tendency to see non-stipendiary and associate ministers as people who can fill in the gaps left when “proper vicars” are unavailable. The same issues have also shaped the development of volunteers and authorised lay people.
It is increasingly important that we see ministry as the call of the whole people of God, recognise the distinct role of incumbents and also help those who are called to ministry to respond as full members of their local team.
Local Shared and Supported Ministry
In the next section we will look at the need to create vibrant Christian communities. The Local Shared Ministry project group is looking for ways to support this through mentoring. They would also like to encourage and approach to ministry which is:
Local: Ministry is primarily derived from the local community
Shared: Lay and ordained Christians share leadership and ministry
Supported: Local Christian communities are supported by the wider church
While the Local Shared Ministry approach may not be suitable for every
parish, this concept of local shared and supported ministry may be helpful in
our thinking.
The Deanery of Milton Keynes will:
“This is about developing leadership using all the resources available to the local church. It would involve consolidation in some parishes and new work in others to build up shared ministry in teams, with appropriate training and support.”Anglican Ministry in Milton Keynes
The Anglican Church understands ministry in three dimensions:
Diaconal: A call to loving service, with particular emphasis on practical care, administration and witness to the vulnerable or marginalised.Although these dimensions of ministry are visibly expressed through the ordained offices of deacons, priests and bishops, they are often exercised through different individuals in particular contexts. These official roles should be seen as the visible expression of the ministry that the whole people of God is called to fulfil.
Priestly: A call to nurture the believing community through service of the Word, intercessory prayer, reconciliation and sacramental action.
Episcopal: A call to “oversee” the church, speaking to it and for it, empowering others in ministry and tending its development as an authentic expression of Christ’s body.
Many of our lay people are willing to play active roles within the church community. We believe that it is important that we continue to develop ways of training, authorising and supporting lay people who are called to service in the Church. We observe an increasing tendency for lay people to be involved in leading worship, preaching, administration and pastoral care. This should be regarded as a good thing and the deanery must continue to look for ways to encourage the positive development of lay ministry.
All baptised members of the Church in Milton Keynes are called to serve Christ within the church family and also in the communities where they live and work. This calling is crucially important and we should always remember that the deanery exists to enable a local ministry of loving service and Christian witness to happen.
Ordained, Licensed and Authorised Ministry
We believe that ordained, licensed and authorised ministry is important for the task of nurturing and sustaining the Christian community in Milton Keynes. Our “professional” ministers are trained and authorised by the Church and have a particular role to play.
One key role that they have is the nurture of disciples and they are specifically called to do this through ministries of word and sacrament. We need high quality preaching and meaningful sacramental services.
Our ordained, licensed and authorised ministers are also called to be a visible presence in the world. We recognise that it is impossible for them to be in all places at all times, but there is value in identifying the right occasions for there to be an “official” presence.
The Changing Role of Incumbents
Incumbent clergy have a particular role to play and this role will become increasingly important during the time of transition in which we find ourselves. We recognise that the population of Milton Keynes is rising while we can no-longer sustain the high ratio of stipends to members that we have enjoyed in the past. At the same time the numbers of non-stipendiary ministers are rising and we are encouraging a more collaborative approach to ministry.
Incumbents are called to a priestly ministry within their community but will need to share this calling with others. We expect to see more local teams inour parishes and these teams will include an increasingly diverse collection of people; ranging from associate clergy to youth workers and administrators.
Incumbents will inevitably need to exercise a more episcopal role, acting as those who oversee the work of their churches, speaking to them and for them, empowering others in ministry and tending their churches’ development as authentic expressions of Christ’s body. This role is expressed theologically in the concept of the “cure of souls” which they share with the bishop.
This more episcopal role will be particularly important as the numbers of stipendiary clergy decline while the numbers of Christian communities rise as a result of God’s mission. It is important that we release incumbents from some of their existing duties so that they can fulfil this evolving call. It is also important that we enable them to continue to express their priestly and diaconal calling in appropriate and sustainable ways.
The challenge for us in Milton Keynes is to work towards a sustainable model of Christian ministry. We need to be financially sustainable, but we also need a sustainable approach to ministry in which each individual has a clear and achievable role. Working towards this new model will begin with a re-think of the duties and responsibilities that incumbents take on.
Filling Gaps or Responding to Call
In the past there has been a tendency to see non-stipendiary and associate ministers as people who can fill in the gaps left when “proper vicars” are unavailable. The same issues have also shaped the development of volunteers and authorised lay people.
It is increasingly important that we see ministry as the call of the whole people of God, recognise the distinct role of incumbents and also help those who are called to ministry to respond as full members of their local team.
Local Shared and Supported Ministry
In the next section we will look at the need to create vibrant Christian communities. The Local Shared Ministry project group is looking for ways to support this through mentoring. They would also like to encourage and approach to ministry which is:
Local: Ministry is primarily derived from the local community
Shared: Lay and ordained Christians share leadership and ministry
Supported: Local Christian communities are supported by the wider church
While the Local Shared Ministry approach may not be suitable for every
parish, this concept of local shared and supported ministry may be helpful in
our thinking.
The Deanery of Milton Keynes will:
- Continue to provide a Training Officer who will help train and nurture local church members and authorised ministers.
- Continue to follow our ten year transition plan which aims to establish a sustainable level of ministry in Milton Keynes Deanery by 2018. (See Appendix B)
- Map the deployment of ministers in Milton Keynes with respect to incumbents who have an oversight role and the local teams who work with them. This information will be increasingly important as we think about future deployment of stipendiary and non-stipendiary ministers.
- Continue to reflect on the changing role of incumbents.
- Explore approaches to vocation which start with gift and call rather than our needs.
- Continue to look for ways to develop Christian ministry. This should be a priority for the work of the synod. There will therefore need to be regular space to share and discuss ideas and good practice.
Creating Vibrant Christian Communities
Creating Vibrant Christian Communities
It has often been suggested that we should look at growing churches if we want to learn how to grow churches. A great deal of work has been done in this area and there is a some valuable research that we can draw on.
The first key lesson is that values, principles and processes are more significant than projects and programmes. In other words, it is more important to understand the inner workings of a growing church than it is to attempt to copy their activities.
The second point worth noting is that healthy churches often become growing churches. Developing the vibrant life of a Christian community is more likely to produce numerical growth than an evangelistic campaign.
Research carried out in a number of British churches suggests that the following seven characteristics are the most common marks of a healthy church:
Mentoring for Local Shared Ministry
As part of the previous deanery plan we helped set up an ecumenical project group to look at the Local Shared Ministry model which was being developed in New Zealand. This group has been very busy and has learnt a great deal about local and shared ministry both in the UK and elsewhere. This group has also begun to develop their own model which is less top-down and more organic. (See Appendix C for their “Dream”) The Diocese of Oxford has authorised this project through STEM, the board for Stewardship, Training, Evangelism and Mission.
The congregation of St Frideswide in Water Eaton has become a pilot project for Local Shared Ministry. So far this project seems to be going well and valuable lessons are being learnt.
The project group believe that the next stage of this project would be to identify churches and parishes who are “working towards” local, shared and supported ministry and develop a mentoring relationship with them. They believe that mentoring will be key to the future development of vibrant Christian communities.
Mentoring is a tool we could use to :
“This is about shaping ‘communities of grace’ which exhibit the character of Jesus. Such attractive communities are genuinely hospitable, deeply engaged with their communities, and passionate about God.”Building Healthy Churches
It has often been suggested that we should look at growing churches if we want to learn how to grow churches. A great deal of work has been done in this area and there is a some valuable research that we can draw on.
The first key lesson is that values, principles and processes are more significant than projects and programmes. In other words, it is more important to understand the inner workings of a growing church than it is to attempt to copy their activities.
The second point worth noting is that healthy churches often become growing churches. Developing the vibrant life of a Christian community is more likely to produce numerical growth than an evangelistic campaign.
Research carried out in a number of British churches suggests that the following seven characteristics are the most common marks of a healthy church:
- Energised by faith
- Outward-looking
- Seeks to find what God wants
- Faces the cost of change and growth
- Operates as a community
- Makes room for all
- Does a few things and does them well
Mentoring for Local Shared Ministry
As part of the previous deanery plan we helped set up an ecumenical project group to look at the Local Shared Ministry model which was being developed in New Zealand. This group has been very busy and has learnt a great deal about local and shared ministry both in the UK and elsewhere. This group has also begun to develop their own model which is less top-down and more organic. (See Appendix C for their “Dream”) The Diocese of Oxford has authorised this project through STEM, the board for Stewardship, Training, Evangelism and Mission.
The congregation of St Frideswide in Water Eaton has become a pilot project for Local Shared Ministry. So far this project seems to be going well and valuable lessons are being learnt.
The project group believe that the next stage of this project would be to identify churches and parishes who are “working towards” local, shared and supported ministry and develop a mentoring relationship with them. They believe that mentoring will be key to the future development of vibrant Christian communities.
Mentoring is a tool we could use to :
- Support local churches in their development
- Challenge assumptions about what can or cannot be done
- Create a mutual learning network in which we will all benefit
- Investigate the possibility of using a “Healthy Churches” process
- Support the Local Shared Ministry project group and encourage the establishment of a mentoring network.
- Consciously use the annual visitations as an opportunity to explore the vitality of our churches and share good practice
- Continue to look for ways to develop our Christian communities. This should be a priority for the work of the synod. There will therefore need to be regular space to share and discuss ideas and good practice.
Making a Difference in the World
Making a Difference in the World
The Diocese of Oxford states that our vision should be “the transformation of all human life under God”. We believe that the ultimate focus of all our efforts is not the Church but God’s world.
The Five Marks of Mission should continue to guide our thinking about the holistic nature of God’s call and it is worth reminding ourselves of them again and again. We are called to:
We have a number of chaplains and chaplaincies in Milton Keynes and many of these are staffed by Anglican clergy. Chaplaincy is a very important tool through which the Church is able to engage with the World and offer loving service. We should aim to do more to invlove and include chaplains and actively support their work.
We also provide one post for the Christian Foundation which has been set up to “create opportunities that release potential in individuals and communities, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, enabling them to learn and grow and live full and healthy lives.” We believe that it is important to continue that commitment.
We have also been using another post to provide a Development Chaplain. We feel that this work has been helpful to the whole Church in Milton Keynes and we value to links that the Development Chaplain has made. We would like to provide more help in connecting churches with their local communities and guidance as to how effective local mission may be developed.
Every Believer and Every Parish
Although chaplains and organisations are extremely valuable, it is important that we don’t regard mission as the province of experts and specialists. Mission is the calling of every believer and the purpose of every parish. The Anglican parish system is primarily a mechanism for ensuring that the Church is active in mission in every corner of this country. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we have a purpose and a call to fulfil.
Each church and parish must respond to their own local community in an appropriate way but there is real value in sharing good practice, ideas and stories between parishes. We need more opportunity for networking and sharing. This may affect the way we handle meetings, visitations and other forms of communication.
[This deanery plan may also wish to cover some other issues which were raised during the period of consultation:
“This is about recognising that in a holistic understanding of God’s action in the world, there is no mission without social justice; that social justice and prophetic witness cannot be put in a box as a specialism or an extra, but is at the heart of the calling of every Christian community in its own context.”Making a Difference in Milton Keynes
The Diocese of Oxford states that our vision should be “the transformation of all human life under God”. We believe that the ultimate focus of all our efforts is not the Church but God’s world.
The Five Marks of Mission should continue to guide our thinking about the holistic nature of God’s call and it is worth reminding ourselves of them again and again. We are called to:
- Proclaim the good news of the kingdom
- Teach baptise and nurture new believers
- Respond to human need by loving service
- Seek to transform the unjust structures of society
- Strive to safeguard and renew the life of the Earth
We have a number of chaplains and chaplaincies in Milton Keynes and many of these are staffed by Anglican clergy. Chaplaincy is a very important tool through which the Church is able to engage with the World and offer loving service. We should aim to do more to invlove and include chaplains and actively support their work.
We also provide one post for the Christian Foundation which has been set up to “create opportunities that release potential in individuals and communities, particularly those experiencing disadvantage, enabling them to learn and grow and live full and healthy lives.” We believe that it is important to continue that commitment.
We have also been using another post to provide a Development Chaplain. We feel that this work has been helpful to the whole Church in Milton Keynes and we value to links that the Development Chaplain has made. We would like to provide more help in connecting churches with their local communities and guidance as to how effective local mission may be developed.
Every Believer and Every Parish
Although chaplains and organisations are extremely valuable, it is important that we don’t regard mission as the province of experts and specialists. Mission is the calling of every believer and the purpose of every parish. The Anglican parish system is primarily a mechanism for ensuring that the Church is active in mission in every corner of this country. We need to keep reminding ourselves that we have a purpose and a call to fulfil.
Each church and parish must respond to their own local community in an appropriate way but there is real value in sharing good practice, ideas and stories between parishes. We need more opportunity for networking and sharing. This may affect the way we handle meetings, visitations and other forms of communication.
[This deanery plan may also wish to cover some other issues which were raised during the period of consultation:
- The practice of tithing church income for mission
- The concerns raised locally and nationally about “community centre” style churches and their effectiveness in mission. Should we investigate the work of Anne Morisey who suggests the training of volunteer “community chaplains” to work with users?]
- Look for more ways to involve and support our chaplains and chaplaincies.
- Continue to provide a Development Chaplain as a resource for helping churches engage with their local community.
- Support the work of the Christian Foundation through one of our deanery posts.
- Look for more ways of sharing news and information about mission in Milton Keynes and beyond.
- Continue to look for ways to develop our mission as churches. This should be a priority for the work of the synod. There will therefore need to be regular space to share and discuss ideas and good practice.
Appendix A: Our Understanding of Ecumenism
Appendix A: Our Understanding of Ecumenism
We want to be very clear about the model of ecumenism with which we are working. It is really important that our partners in other denominations and streams of church understand how we see our relationship with them and on what basis we expect to work and make decisions with them.
Principle One: Partnership rather than Absorption
Some models of ecumenism assume that we should all come together and form one single organisation. Those who support this approach believe that it is a worthy goal and will produce great benefits in terms of coherence in vision, communications, decision-making, training and so on...
Unfortunately there can be a tendency for some churches, denominations and communities to
find themselves on the outside, either by choice or conviction. In Milton Keynes Deanery, six of our twelve parishes are uncomfortable with the structural unity that has been a prominent goal for Milton Keynes in the past. There are also a number of newer churches who are unlikely to become formal members of the Mission Partnership - but with whom we are beginning to work more closely...
We would prefer to work with a partnership model in which we understand that we are all one in Christ - whether we like it or not!
As pilgrim communities traveling in the same direction we are able to help and support one another, listen to each other and make decisions together. Our members will increasingly feel free to move between different strands of church life which will continue to affect and influence each other in a myriad of significant ways.
We feel that it is particularly important that all churches are thought of as being “in” and that no
churches or communities should be placed in a position in which they feel that ecumenism is something that would deny their identity or undermine their integrity.
In keeping with the Mission Partnership’s recent review, we would like our ecumenical structures to become the space or mechanism within which these conversations and relationships continue to take place.
Principle Two: Network rather than Hierarchy
One way of simplifying the life of the churches in Milton Keynes would be for the Mission Partnership to act as a layer in a hierarchy - standing between the denominations and the local congregations and parishes.
This has been seen as an attractive goal in Milton Keynes in the past and was one of the motivations behind the setting up of the Mission Partnership as a converged body.
On the other hand, there has been a lack of clarity about authority and the place where decisions can be made. There have also been tensions about “denominationalism”.
The hierarchical model is actually a very “modernist” approach to ecumenism and is less helpful in the more fluid environment in which we find ourselves.
We would therefore prefer to work with a network model. Each church, parish and LEP has relationships with a variety of bodies. In many cases a parish may relate to both the Deanery and other denominational bodies like the Methodist Circuit - and this should be regarded as a good thing!
Decisions should be made by those who are most closely involved or affected but there needs to be an understanding of how resources are controlled or coordinated by different bodies. For instance, the Deanery has responsibility for the deployment of Anglican clergy and the allocation of Anglican parish share.
We feel that an understanding of church life in Milton Keynes as a complex network will be more productive for us at this time than thinking of it as a hierarchy of organisations.
Home - Back - Forward
We want to be very clear about the model of ecumenism with which we are working. It is really important that our partners in other denominations and streams of church understand how we see our relationship with them and on what basis we expect to work and make decisions with them.
Principle One: Partnership rather than Absorption
Some models of ecumenism assume that we should all come together and form one single organisation. Those who support this approach believe that it is a worthy goal and will produce great benefits in terms of coherence in vision, communications, decision-making, training and so on...Unfortunately there can be a tendency for some churches, denominations and communities to
find themselves on the outside, either by choice or conviction. In Milton Keynes Deanery, six of our twelve parishes are uncomfortable with the structural unity that has been a prominent goal for Milton Keynes in the past. There are also a number of newer churches who are unlikely to become formal members of the Mission Partnership - but with whom we are beginning to work more closely...
We would prefer to work with a partnership model in which we understand that we are all one in Christ - whether we like it or not!As pilgrim communities traveling in the same direction we are able to help and support one another, listen to each other and make decisions together. Our members will increasingly feel free to move between different strands of church life which will continue to affect and influence each other in a myriad of significant ways.
We feel that it is particularly important that all churches are thought of as being “in” and that no
churches or communities should be placed in a position in which they feel that ecumenism is something that would deny their identity or undermine their integrity.
In keeping with the Mission Partnership’s recent review, we would like our ecumenical structures to become the space or mechanism within which these conversations and relationships continue to take place.
Principle Two: Network rather than Hierarchy
One way of simplifying the life of the churches in Milton Keynes would be for the Mission Partnership to act as a layer in a hierarchy - standing between the denominations and the local congregations and parishes.This has been seen as an attractive goal in Milton Keynes in the past and was one of the motivations behind the setting up of the Mission Partnership as a converged body.
On the other hand, there has been a lack of clarity about authority and the place where decisions can be made. There have also been tensions about “denominationalism”.
The hierarchical model is actually a very “modernist” approach to ecumenism and is less helpful in the more fluid environment in which we find ourselves.
We would therefore prefer to work with a network model. Each church, parish and LEP has relationships with a variety of bodies. In many cases a parish may relate to both the Deanery and other denominational bodies like the Methodist Circuit - and this should be regarded as a good thing!
Decisions should be made by those who are most closely involved or affected but there needs to be an understanding of how resources are controlled or coordinated by different bodies. For instance, the Deanery has responsibility for the deployment of Anglican clergy and the allocation of Anglican parish share.
We feel that an understanding of church life in Milton Keynes as a complex network will be more productive for us at this time than thinking of it as a hierarchy of organisations.
Home - Back - Forward
Appendix B: Our Transition Plan
Appendix B: Our Transition Plan
1. The aims of this transition plan are:
a. for as many parishes as possible to pay 80% of their ministry costs as de-
fined by the Diocese of Oxford by 2013
b. for the whole deanery collectively to pay 100% of their ministry costs by
2018.
2. We recognise that the diocese will increase deanery share payments by up to
7.5% each year. We also recognise that we will not pay this figure in full during
the course of this transition plan. We will however commit to:
a. pay up to £5000 from our reserves each year
b. keep the diocese informed about significant issues and changes. This will
include the production of a detailed annual statement.
3. We will increase parish share payments each year according to the following
formula:
a. parishes who pay less than 70% of their ministry costs will increase share
payments by 7.5%
b. parishes who pay between 70% and 79% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 6.5%
c. parishes who pay between 80% and 89% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 5.5%
d. parishes who pay between 90% and 99% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 4.5%
e. parishes who pay between 100% and 120% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 3.5% - the rate of projected overall share in-
crease
f. parishes who pay more than 120% of their ministry costs will have their
share payments reduced to 120% of their ministry costs
g. in order to reach targets set for 2013 and 2018, parishes may have their
shares set at a higher level than this formula suggests, but any increase
above 7.5% will be made by negotiation.
4. Exceptions to this rule will be:
a. Whaddon Way: This is an ecumenical congregation without Anglican minis-
try. They are asked to pay a sum equivalent to the contributions made by
Baptist members to the Baptist Home Missions Fund.
b. Water Eaton: St Frideswide is a Local Shared Ministry congregation without
any local stipendiary ministry. They are asked to pay a sum equivalent to
20% of the cost of ministry associated with an Anglican stipendiary minister;
in other words, the proportion which pays for non-parochial rather than local
ministry.
c. It is our expectation that similar formulas would be used if similar situations
occur in future.
5. Our deanery plan requires that all parishes must pay 80% of their ministry costs
as defined by the Diocese of Oxford by 2013, but that no church should be ex-
pected to pay more than 120% of their ministry costs. Those parishes who can-
not commit to this target will have their deployment numbers reduced.
6. It is possible for parishes to ask for a larger number of clergy, but they must
commit to pay the equivalent cost of ministry in full.
7. We are given the equivalent of four free posts by the Diocese of Oxford. This
subsidy will be used for the following purposes:
a. to pay for deanery level posts
b. to help reduce the parish share payments of churches in areas of depriva-
tion
8. At the moment we deploy three and a half deanery level posts. It is our intention
that we will only require two and a half deanery level posts by 2013. This will be
equivalent to:
a. one post in the Christian Foundation
b. one half post for strategy/coordination (Area Dean)
c. one half post for mission/enabling (Successor to Development Chaplain)
d. one half post for training/nurture (Training Officer?)
9. Before 2013 it will not be possible to include the subsidy in any calculation of
parish share since we will be falling short of our targets by a considerable
amount. After 2013 it may be possible for us to consider a reduction in share
targets for parishes with areas of significant deprivation.
10. In order to help communications, the Deanery Finance Committee will offer a
rolling programme of PCC visits.
Home - Back - Forward
1. The aims of this transition plan are:
a. for as many parishes as possible to pay 80% of their ministry costs as de-
fined by the Diocese of Oxford by 2013
b. for the whole deanery collectively to pay 100% of their ministry costs by
2018.
2. We recognise that the diocese will increase deanery share payments by up to
7.5% each year. We also recognise that we will not pay this figure in full during
the course of this transition plan. We will however commit to:
a. pay up to £5000 from our reserves each year
b. keep the diocese informed about significant issues and changes. This will
include the production of a detailed annual statement.
3. We will increase parish share payments each year according to the following
formula:
a. parishes who pay less than 70% of their ministry costs will increase share
payments by 7.5%
b. parishes who pay between 70% and 79% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 6.5%
c. parishes who pay between 80% and 89% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 5.5%
d. parishes who pay between 90% and 99% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 4.5%
e. parishes who pay between 100% and 120% of their ministry costs will in-
crease share payments by 3.5% - the rate of projected overall share in-
crease
f. parishes who pay more than 120% of their ministry costs will have their
share payments reduced to 120% of their ministry costs
g. in order to reach targets set for 2013 and 2018, parishes may have their
shares set at a higher level than this formula suggests, but any increase
above 7.5% will be made by negotiation.
4. Exceptions to this rule will be:
a. Whaddon Way: This is an ecumenical congregation without Anglican minis-
try. They are asked to pay a sum equivalent to the contributions made by
Baptist members to the Baptist Home Missions Fund.
b. Water Eaton: St Frideswide is a Local Shared Ministry congregation without
any local stipendiary ministry. They are asked to pay a sum equivalent to
20% of the cost of ministry associated with an Anglican stipendiary minister;
in other words, the proportion which pays for non-parochial rather than local
ministry.
c. It is our expectation that similar formulas would be used if similar situations
occur in future.
5. Our deanery plan requires that all parishes must pay 80% of their ministry costs
as defined by the Diocese of Oxford by 2013, but that no church should be ex-
pected to pay more than 120% of their ministry costs. Those parishes who can-
not commit to this target will have their deployment numbers reduced.
6. It is possible for parishes to ask for a larger number of clergy, but they must
commit to pay the equivalent cost of ministry in full.
7. We are given the equivalent of four free posts by the Diocese of Oxford. This
subsidy will be used for the following purposes:
a. to pay for deanery level posts
b. to help reduce the parish share payments of churches in areas of depriva-
tion
8. At the moment we deploy three and a half deanery level posts. It is our intention
that we will only require two and a half deanery level posts by 2013. This will be
equivalent to:
a. one post in the Christian Foundation
b. one half post for strategy/coordination (Area Dean)
c. one half post for mission/enabling (Successor to Development Chaplain)
d. one half post for training/nurture (Training Officer?)
9. Before 2013 it will not be possible to include the subsidy in any calculation of
parish share since we will be falling short of our targets by a considerable
amount. After 2013 it may be possible for us to consider a reduction in share
targets for parishes with areas of significant deprivation.
10. In order to help communications, the Deanery Finance Committee will offer a
rolling programme of PCC visits.
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Appendix C: The Dream of the LSM Project Group
Appendix C: The Dream of the LSM Project Group
We dream of a church in which…
we are all followers of
the Way of Jesus who are -
living in the presence of God;
serving Christ with one another;
taking part in the Mission of God in the World…
we are all active in the
ministry of Christ –
being his body in a broken creation;
building one another up for works of service;
fulfilling his call in the midst of daily life…
we are empowered and
driven by the Spirit –
who fills us with gifts and guidance;
who leads us out into new territory;
helping us to develop new expressions of faith and community…
we serve together in
collaborative and mutual ministry –
each member an active participant,
according to their gifts and calling;
leadership exercised by the whole body acting as one…
all forms of ministry are recognised
and given space to grow –
ministries of loving service;
ministries which walk with others in the territory of the Holy;
ministries of connection, oversight and vision…
Servant Leadership is exercised so that
those in positions of authority
encourage and support the ministry of others,
coordination, facilitation and empowerment
are more important than power and control,
and each member is nurtured, trained and supported
as a valuable member of the team…
the local church is valued
because God meets us
in relationship, community
and a need for “home”
and blesses each community
with the resources it needs
to be Christ’s body;
creating space where human beings
can encounter God…
the wider church is valued
because it exists
to make local ministry possible,
and unites us in fellowship
with people of God
in every time and place…
hope will always overcome fear,
because we are not obsessed
with failure,
competition or even survival,
but continually draw onwards
as faithful pilgrims,
who experience growth,
transformation and new life…
We will work towards this vision…
with fresh and inherited
expressions of church;
as listeners, partners,
mentors and companions;
by reflecting on the voice of God
in the stories we tell…
We dream of a church…
Home - Back - Next
We dream of a church in which…
we are all followers of
the Way of Jesus who are -
living in the presence of God;
serving Christ with one another;
taking part in the Mission of God in the World…
we are all active in the
ministry of Christ –
being his body in a broken creation;
building one another up for works of service;
fulfilling his call in the midst of daily life…
we are empowered and
driven by the Spirit –
who fills us with gifts and guidance;
who leads us out into new territory;
helping us to develop new expressions of faith and community…
we serve together in
collaborative and mutual ministry –
each member an active participant,
according to their gifts and calling;
leadership exercised by the whole body acting as one…
all forms of ministry are recognised
and given space to grow –
ministries of loving service;
ministries which walk with others in the territory of the Holy;
ministries of connection, oversight and vision…
Servant Leadership is exercised so that
those in positions of authority
encourage and support the ministry of others,
coordination, facilitation and empowerment
are more important than power and control,
and each member is nurtured, trained and supported
as a valuable member of the team…
the local church is valued
because God meets us
in relationship, community
and a need for “home”
and blesses each community
with the resources it needs
to be Christ’s body;
creating space where human beings
can encounter God…
the wider church is valued
because it exists
to make local ministry possible,
and unites us in fellowship
with people of God
in every time and place…
hope will always overcome fear,
because we are not obsessed
with failure,
competition or even survival,
but continually draw onwards
as faithful pilgrims,
who experience growth,
transformation and new life…
We will work towards this vision…
with fresh and inherited
expressions of church;
as listeners, partners,
mentors and companions;
by reflecting on the voice of God
in the stories we tell…
We dream of a church…
Home - Back - Next
Appendix D: Meetings, Teams, Groups and Committees
Appendix D: Meetings, Teams, Groups and Committees
These are the meetings, teams, groups and committees scheduled for 2010:
Deanery Synod: Representatives of all parishes, churches and clergy in the deanery meet three times a year to pray, share information, dis-cuss ideas and make decisions about strategy and policy.
Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee: Representatives of the parishes and clergy in the deanery meet three times a year to make decisions about deployment and other operational issues.
Deanery Chapter: Regular meeting of clergy for mutual support, sharing and prayer. Some meetings take place in the evening and are open to non-stipendiary, authorised and licensed ministers.
Deanery Leadership Team: Office holders meet six times a year to plan agendas and implement the policies and actions required by the diocese and the deanery.
Deanery Finance Committee: This group meets as required to discuss the allocation of parish share and other financial issues.
Deanery Strategy Group: This will be an open group which will meet three times a year to review the progress of our deanery plan and suggest further action.
In addition the deanery has an active involvement in:
Mission Partnership Assembly: The assembly acts as the deanery synod when it meets and is empowered to act as such.
Ecumenical Pastoral and Sponsoring Committee: This acts as the “sponsoring body” and has formal responsibility for the oversight and review of LEPs in north bucks.
Ecumenical Oversight Group: This is a meeting of local denominational leaders which meets to share news and discuss joint activity.
There are many other meetings, teams, groups and committees on which the deanery is represented directly or indirectly but these are the ones through which deanery business takes place.
Home - Back
These are the meetings, teams, groups and committees scheduled for 2010:
Deanery Synod: Representatives of all parishes, churches and clergy in the deanery meet three times a year to pray, share information, dis-cuss ideas and make decisions about strategy and policy.
Deanery Mission and Pastoral Committee: Representatives of the parishes and clergy in the deanery meet three times a year to make decisions about deployment and other operational issues.
Deanery Chapter: Regular meeting of clergy for mutual support, sharing and prayer. Some meetings take place in the evening and are open to non-stipendiary, authorised and licensed ministers.
Deanery Leadership Team: Office holders meet six times a year to plan agendas and implement the policies and actions required by the diocese and the deanery.
Deanery Finance Committee: This group meets as required to discuss the allocation of parish share and other financial issues.
Deanery Strategy Group: This will be an open group which will meet three times a year to review the progress of our deanery plan and suggest further action.
In addition the deanery has an active involvement in:
Mission Partnership Assembly: The assembly acts as the deanery synod when it meets and is empowered to act as such.
Ecumenical Pastoral and Sponsoring Committee: This acts as the “sponsoring body” and has formal responsibility for the oversight and review of LEPs in north bucks.
Ecumenical Oversight Group: This is a meeting of local denominational leaders which meets to share news and discuss joint activity.
There are many other meetings, teams, groups and committees on which the deanery is represented directly or indirectly but these are the ones through which deanery business takes place.
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Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Stantonbury Visits
First round of visits in Stantonbury and Willen Parish this evening. Three down, three to go...
This evening Tony and I visited New Bradwell, Stantonbury and Great Linford. We were very impressed with the energy and feel of these buildings and were interested in the amount of community engagement happening. St Andrew's is moving forward with some interesting vision work. All good!
This evening Tony and I visited New Bradwell, Stantonbury and Great Linford. We were very impressed with the energy and feel of these buildings and were interested in the amount of community engagement happening. St Andrew's is moving forward with some interesting vision work. All good!
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