New resource position a boon to parishes

By Ana Watts

Just as Neil Armstrong’s first step on the moon was “a small step for a man but a giant leap for mankind,” with the recent approval of a development officer position, Diocesan Council took a giant leap toward the transformational change envisioned for this diocese by Synod 2009.

“Council took a true leadership role here today,” says Martha Jo Hoyt, chair of the Stewardship and Financial Development Team that recommended creation of the position. “We feel very strongly that our parishes need a resource person to consult in the areas of stewardship and congregational development. We are certain that person will give all parishes, not just the ones that struggle, the help they need to fully embrace the Nicodemus Project and we will become the kind of Church God is calling us to be.”

Archbishop Claude Miller celebrated council’s unanimous support for the position as well as General Synod’s financial commitment. “The world is changing quickly and we need to take advantage of opportunities to respond to things that really matter. General Synod is our financial partner in this new initiative for at lest the first two years. The position will have no impact on our 2011 budget but I am sure it will have a profound impact on our future.”

Archdeacon David Edwards of Saint John, who has extensive experience in the field of congregational development, wholeheartedly agrees that stewardship and congregational development need be pushed in this diocese. “But we must move beyond the present model. Parishes need to engage in the community at the mission and the economic development levels. We need to find alternative revenue streams.”

An implementation team will finalize a position description and develop a wide-ranging recruitment strategy. It is aware that although there are people with expertise in both stewardship and congregational development, it is possible two people with complimentary qualifications may share the position.

“We are going to be flexible,” says Archbishop Miller. “We will wait and see who God sends us.

The Rev. Bob LeBlanc — member of council and the Stewardship and Financial Development Team as well as an enthusiastic musician — said that unlike the Rolling Stones, time is not on our side. “I can’t stress enough how urgent it is that we get this kind of leadership on board. There may be some parishes that do not want or welcome this kind of help, but this position is for the parishes that do want it, for the parishes that want to thrive. This support person is for the parishes who want someone to offer them new ideas to meet the needs of a new world, to help this diocese fulfill its mission to proclaim the Gospel of Christ for the making of disciples.”

The Nicodemus Project grew out of recommendations from three task forces: Budget Support, Support for Rural and Struggling Parishes, and Sharing Ministry. Synod delegates received their reports and recommendations in advance of Diocesan Synod in 2009. Meeting as archdeaconry groups during synod they discussed and prioritized hundreds of recommendations. Those priorities were further discussed in a plenary session and diocesan priorities emerged. In order they are: to re-learn what it means to be Christian and Anglican; to prepare our leaders for change; to support our struggling parishes; to assess and understand our parishes, archdeaconries and diocese; and to commit ourselves to transformational change — to become a diocese of mission-focused, healthy, welcoming and growing parishes.

 

Diocesan Communications

15 February 2011