Evaluation of diocesan structures
and processes a daunting task
by Ana Watts
The diocesan evaluation task group will report its progress and findings to Diocesan Council meeting St. Andrew’s Church in Newcastle (Miramichi City) on Sept. 18.
Struck following Synod 2009 to assess the value and the effectiveness 
of current diocesan governance structures and processes (a goal of the Nicodemous Project), the group members assumed a massive task. They first met in January of this year and, guided by Archbishop Claude Miller, they are exploring the broad scope and complexity of their mandate and encountering varied expectations.
“Our objective is to improve administrative efficiency and reduce costs, subject to available funding as identified by the bishop and Diocesan Council,” says task group member Canon Stuart Allan. Toward that end, the group has been informed by the books Apostle to the Wilderness by the Rev. Dr. Barry Craig, and Citizens with the Saints by Archdeacon Lyman Harding.
“Both books provide an historical context for our diocese as it exists today,” says Canon Allan. “We have consulted reports adopted by Diocesan Synods in recent years and examined the efforts of other dioceses to respond to the challenges facing Anglicans today and in the future. We have also consulted with various members of our diocesan family.”
It is slow and heavy work, and the load could be lightened with an enlarged membership, but those who are approached are either daunted by the size of the task or unable to participate because of their many other commitments.
“At the moment we are focused on the governance structure of our diocese as it reflects the current demographic realities of our mission as a Christian community,” says Canon Allan. The group will meet in Saint John on Sept. 2 to prepare its report for council.
