Developing Enabler Supported Ministry in the Missionary Diocese of Tasmania

In the Diocese of Tasmania Each Christian community shares with the Bishop the responsibility for worship, ministry and mission.

 The Holy Spirit calls every Christian into a Christian community.  The Holy Spirit gives gifts for service to every Christian.  Every Christian community has sufficient gifts to carry out its worship, ministry and mission. è Worship è Proclaiming the Gospel è Baptising and nurturing people in the faith è Performing loving service è Transforming unjust structures in society è Caring for creation

Enabler Supported Ministry… u is a way of structuring ministry so that the local Church is responsible for establishing priorities for mission and ministry u helps us recognise: l Every congregation is a ministering community, rather than a community gathered around a minister l Every member is a minister u helps us recognise that all Christians have gifts [ 1 Corinthians 12:11; Ephesians 4:7-12] “It is not a programme or a system but a way of being, a culture” (Bishop Stewart Zabriskie, Nevada Diocese)

What are the steps? The Parish Leadership decide to explore ESM. The whole Parish completes an educational process. The Parish decides to adopt Enabler Supported Ministry. A Local Ministry Support Team is called by the congregation. An Enabler helps with supervision, encouragement, education and training of the Team and Parish. The Bishop examines the capacity of the team and parish prior to licensing, ordination and commissioning. The Diocesan Mission Enabler coordinates and oversees the journey.

How is it Different? Enabler Supported Ministry needs commitment to mutual shared ministry. The Priest is no longer the primary minister in charge. The main arena for ministry is in daily life. The Local Ministry Support Team is made up of people from the community of faith. They are called by the community and licensed by the bishop. Some Team members will be lay, some Ordained Local Priests.

The Role of the Parish Council in Enabler Supported Ministry IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEAM THE PC…  oversees the mission and ministry of the Parish  keeps in mind the needs of...  - the local community  - the community of faith  shapes policy and is accountable to the Bishop and Diocese for property, finances

The Role of the Parish Council in Enabler Supported Ministry IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE TEAM, THE PARISH COUNCIL … ensures that all parish roles are coordinated accepts responsibility… for Diocesan policies, practices and standards, for the regular provision of corporate worship and sacramental ministry funds ministry costs

The Role of the Local Ministry Support Team l To identify others’ gifts l To encourage other members of the Parish into ministry l To organise and support the mission and ministry of the Parish in... l Worship, preaching, teaching & reconciliation l Outreach and Evangelism l Pastoral care and social action ministries l Administration l Education and Nurture The Local Ministry Support Team is not a multi-headed Rector

What differences might we notice?  The Bishop has a key on-going relationship and role with the ministering community in this model  The clergy will not be in charge  The Local Ministry Support Team may include more than one ordained local minister  Licensed local clergy do not have a seat and vote at Synod  Parish life is not dominated by money raising activity

What differences might we notice?  Key areas of ministry will be supported by a Local Ministry Support Team skilled for this work  The Parish Council has an enhanced role in decision making and oversight of ministry and mission priorities  a much closer relationship with the Diocese  Sacramental Ministry is more readily available on a regular basis

What differences might we notice?  There will be an increase in congregational enthusiasm and participation  Practical support from a ministry Enabler and the Diocesan Mission Enabler  Growth in commitment, faith, membership and mission effectiveness  A strong bond with other ESM Parishes

Stages in the Journey *Information given to Parish. *Decision to explore *Assessment of congregation strengths and weaknesses *Identification of Mission and Ministry priorities *Congregational calling process *Individual interviews *Commissioning of team

Stages in the Journey *Various strands - Common Core ~ open to all *Identifying the next generation of leaders *Another calling

Stage One: Enquiry l 1. Diocesan Ministry Officer is asked to undertake a consultation to include ð exploration of options for the future ð Financial Concerns ð Teaching about the theology and practice of Total Ministry l 2. Information about Enabler Supported Ministry provided ð Parish, congregational and small group meetings ð Worship / Sermons ð Parish Workshops/Seminars

Stage One: Enquiry l 3.Decision to proceed ð Special Parish Meeting and ‘ballot’ of members (at least 67% in favour minimum required to proceed) ð Written request to the Bishop for approval to explore further l 4. Affirmation of the Bishop

Stage Two: Exploration l 1.Assessment of parish strengths / weaknesses ð Workshops run by Diocesan Mission Enabler l 2.Identify mission and ministry priorities l 3.Identification of gifts of ministry for each member l4.l4.Analysis of financial situation l 5. Leadership potential ð Training (general & specific) ð Reviews l 5.Covenant between Parish & Diocese ð Diocesan support l 6.Time Frame agreed

Stage Three: Calling of the Local Ministry Support Team l 1. Calling of people to form the Local Ministry Support Team during a service of worship l 2. Interviews ‑ Bishop / DME for Team l‑ l‑ Individual interview l 3. Names affirmed by PC l 4. Ministry Support Team invited to take up their ministry by the Bishop l 5. Ministry Support Team presented to the Parish l 6. Enabler appointed by the Diocese. Job description and finances agreed l 7. Commitment to Training Covenant finalised to include: ð Personal ð Group ð General l 8. Draft contract with Diocese finalised

Stage Four:Training l 1.Training  Three aspects to the training.  Audit of Ministry Support Team requirements carried out by Diocesan Mission Enabler l 2. Review Timetable  A timetable to cover dates for reviews  Assessment for licensing  Consideration of Role of Enabler

Stage Five:Assessment, Licensing & Ordinations l 1. Assessment  Consideration of appropriateness of Working Agreement  Consideration given to readiness of whole Parish.  Readiness of individuals to take responsibilities as per vision l 2.Members of Bishop's Vocational Advisory Team visit the Parish and make their recommendations to the Bishop assessing readiness for Enabler Supported Ministry

Assessment, Licensing & Ordinations l 3.The Bishop approves establishment of an ESM Parish  To be received in writing l 4.Ordination of transitional deacons l 5. A Service of Commissioning to inaugurate Enabler Supported Ministry, commisioning of the whole Parish, licensing of the Team and Ordination of priests A Significant Parish Celebration

Stage Six: Ongoing Training l Core curriculum continues with at least 2 reviews per annum. l Consideration of the Ministry Support Team development and well being. l Review/adjustment of ministry licenses. l Consideration of working agreements

Stage Six: Ongoing Training l Review development of mission as per ministry priorities.  Pastoral Care  development of team  Preaching  development of team  Worship  development of team  Outreach & evangelism  Administration  Any other Ministry areas  Role of Enabler

Second Generation Call l Service of Thanksgiving and Celebration l Annual review of Local Ministry Support Team ê Learning covenants redrawn for next 12 months. l Search for next generation of ministers

The Role of the Enabler è Companion è Spiritual Director è Coach è Encourager è Supervisor è Troubleshooter è Link with Diocese è Educator and Trainer è Visionary è Storyteller