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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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.

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• 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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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AppendixFive–Diocesansurveyresults

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