A Regional Ministry, or “cluster” represents an approach to
Episcopal ministry with at least four differences from what most of us have
experienced. (Think TEAM).
·
Generally,
there is a leadership TEAM of
lay and ordained persons who share their gifts for ministry across a number of
congregations who have joined in partnership.
When people are hired, they are hired for the team; as gifts for
ministry are discerned, they are shared through the team. Two examples may help:
o The
Rev. Diana Wilcox, a transitional deacon, is currently working as Assistant to
the Rector at St. Luke’s Montclair, as Chaplain at Montclair State University,
and with Holy Trinity, West Orange. She represents the vital initiatives that
become possible when we move from the one-building-one-priest model to regional
partnerships.
o Imagine a lay leader absolutely gifted at
working with youth and young adults. At
family gatherings, he is trailed by the children; teens find that “he gets
it.” But as he lives in a rural area,
there are only two teens and one elementary school child in his parish. In a Regional Ministry, he could share gifts
(and live out this vocation) leading a regional Youth Group. Everyone wins.
·
There is
an EXCITEMENT and vitality in the richness that comes with critical mass,
in the sharing of ministry, in focus on
possibilities, gifts and call rather than on the “killer Bs” (budgets,
buildings, boilers). Those of us who have
been part of regional ministries find that being part of a team, rather than
lone rangers, gives a whole new perspective.
·
Instead of stand-alone congregations straining
to do everything, ministry is done
across the regional AREA, with
strengths contributed by each congregation and shared. Youth Ministry might be coordinated at one
congregation, a fine Sunday School supported at another, adult education
programs provided collaboratively, all enhancing the capacity of the baptized
for ministry.
Outreach and involvement in local communities can both be shared and locally done.
Further, we understand that ALL the baptized are gifted for and called to ministry, and that we do it in every place we are, not just within the four walls of a parish church.
Outreach and involvement in local communities can both be shared and locally done.
Further, we understand that ALL the baptized are gifted for and called to ministry, and that we do it in every place we are, not just within the four walls of a parish church.
·
No kidding, let’s also talk about MOVING from worrying about MONEY to
focusing on MINISTRY. Because of
efficiency in staffing and honoring the gifts of the laity, there is a richness
available in a regional collaborative not possible in what we have been
doing. Clergy aren’t frantic about how
to live on half-time salaries.
Treasurers aren’t wondering which bill to pay. Laity don’t feel like second class
communicants.
How do we get from here to there? We learn about Regional Ministry, and we
learn with, from, and about one another, and we do some sharing. Then, in a leap of faith, we covenant to work
together for a period of time.
Generally, common expenses are shared pro-rata by the cooperative
congregations; local expenses continue to be managed locally. A Regional Ministry Steering Committee
(generally with one Warden, one representative from each congregation, and the
clergy team) resembles a “vestry” for the collaborative.
Training is key: we
are talking about a culture shift, a change from “how we’ve always done
it.” For this reason, training and
ongoing consultative coaching are vitally important, and also because we all need
to grow in our capacity to do ministry.
On Sunday, October 21st, the people of St. Agnes' Church will be on the road, visiting neighboring Episcopal Churches as we seek to know our neighbors better. Sign-ups for the visits will be on Sunday the 14th or by calls to the office. On the 28th, we'll debrief the visits, with a leading question being "What did you see/experience that was really good?"
This week: Tuesday, 1PM, Library: Women's Spirituality Group
Wednesday, 7PM, Library: Missional Church Study Group
