Anglican Church of Canada Diocese of Edmonton Strategic Plan Overview

Presentation to the 59

th

Diocesan Synod October 22, 2005

Proclaiming the Gospel – Making Disciples – Furthering the Kingdom

Background

From Vision to A ction

Initiated in April 2002:

   

Phase I

:

Gathered information

— 400+ interviews across Diocese.

— The Pillar of Fire Report, released March 2003

Phase 2: Established priorities

— Regional visitations — Diocesan Gathering

Phase 3: Developed strategic plan, 2004-2007

— Vision and mission — Goals and strategies — Implementation timelines

Phase 4: Implementation began: 2004/05

— Oversight and specific tasks under Stewardship and Financial Development Committee

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Overview of Contents

From Vision to A ction



Vision and Mission



Seven priority areas:

1)

Children and Young People

2)

Diocesan Sense of Community

3)

Christian Education

4)

Outreach (The Church’s practical response to the needs of the wider community)

5)

Faith Formation / Making Disciples

6)

Congregational Development

7)

Social Justice

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The Diocesan Vision

From Vision to A ction

The Diocese of Edmonton is a member of the Anglican Church of Canada and the Anglican Communion. The members of this Diocese, in obedience to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and holding fast to our faith in the eternal and undivided Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Spirit, commit to:  Proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ, in word and action, to the church and to the world.

 Being a community of disciples that prays for the coming of the Kingdom of God while celebrating the privilege of furthering the work of the Kingdom here and now.

 Becoming a Christ-centred community of parishes and ministries that delight in the unity of our calling and the diversity of its expression, marked by deep respect, and a willingness and an eagerness to learn from and grow with each other in the power of the Spirit.

 Growing corporately and individually as disciples of Jesus Christ, being both (a) the guardians of the faith we have received from the apostles, prophets and martyrs, and (b) faithful interpreters of the Gospel. This commitment embraces our expression of Anglican liturgy; the Christian education we offer for all ages, with special emphasis upon reaching children and youth, and those who are inquiring about the Christian faith for the first time; evangelism, social justice, including the articulation of the prophetic voice of Scripture; and the formation and training for lay and ordered ministries of our church.

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The Diocesan Mission

PROCLAIMING THE GOSPEL

From Vision to A ction

MAKING DISCIPLES FURTHERING THE KINGDOM

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Moving Forward: Goals and Strategies

From Vision to A ction



Next, some highlights on the Diocesan goals and strategies and progress in moving forward



The following legend is used:

Focus of Stewardship and Financial Development Committee Focus of Planned Giving Office

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1) Children and Young People

From Vision to A ction Goal: To attract children and youth to Christ; to encourage children and youth in the Christian life Strategies

: 1.

2.

Develop appropriate leadership skills and ability to articulate the Christian faith in an engaging manner.

Develop children and young people’s ministry resources 3.

4.

Enhance Diocesan programming for children and youth Expand university and college chaplaincy

Progress to Date:

• • • •

Diocesan Youth Coordinator re focused half-time in June 2004 (one year ahead of schedule); in 2006, will become ¾ time.

University Chaplaincy position increased to fulltime in Sept 2004 (one year ahead of schedule) Children’s and Youth Task Forces established to address specific needs New young adult camp added to complement of Diocesan summer camps

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2) Diocesan Sense of Community

From Vision to A ction Goal: To enhance and deepen the sense of community and fellowship among Diocesan clergy and the parishes and the Diocese Strategies

: 1.

2.

3.

Nurture the clergy community.

Nurture a sense of Diocesan family which is inclusive of all parishes and members Clergy wellness • • • • • • • • •

Progress to Date: Alternative approaches to ministry being explored Clergy days and clericus meetings held throughout Diocese Two Diocesan gatherings held – October 2003 and June 2004 Executive Council holds minimum of one meeting in rural area per annum Clergy Wellness report being acted upon Employee Assistance Plan promoted to clergy 2005 Clergy Conference focused on healing and promoting clergy wellness Maternal/Paternal Leave Policies introduced.

Wardens and Treasurers’ workshops held

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3) Christian Education

From Vision to A ction Goal: To form faithful disciples of Jesus Christ who are equipped to proclaim the Gospel and further the work of the Kingdom Strategies

: 1.

Advertise Diocesan resources on web page and increase Diocesan resource collection 2.

3.

4.

Assist clergy to use the continuing education plan to their best advantage Increase number of Diocesan educational events Increase awareness and knowledge of stewardship and Planned Giving (New for 2005) • • • •

Progress to Date: Diocesan website being expanded and updated Two Diocesan gatherings held – October 2003 and June 2004 Fulltime Planned Giving Officer hired and placed in Synod Office Planned Giving introductions, workshops and educational events planned

– –

Clergy Day, September 28, 2005 Stewardship Workshop, November 18 & 19, 2005

–

Parish Visitations

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4) Outreach

From Vision to A ction Goal: Increased visibility and responsiveness to human and social needs at the local, provincial, national and international levels Strategies

: Increase awareness of and response to needs in the inner city and rural areas (e.g., poverty, violence, addictions, despair): i.

Special needs of children and youth ii.

Training programs on needs assessment iii.

Regional consultations and partnerships iv.

Prayer commitments v.

Youth involvement vi.

Partner with local agencies/Anglican Church of Canada agencies vii.

Educate on national and international concerns • • • • •

Progress to Date: PrayerWorks Hall redevelopment project at St. Faith’s (Edmonton inner city) NeighbourWorks proposal in progress for parish/Diocesan partnership projects Inner City Pastoral Ministry— commitment more than doubled Prison and Women’s Re-integration Ministries provided Edmonton City Centre Church Corporation (E4C) continues to be a leader in downtown outreach missions

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5) Faith Formation / Making Disciples

From Vision to A ction Goal: Deepening of personal faith, the regular practice of prayer and worship; and the growth in Christian discipleship for every Anglican in the Diocese. Increased evangelism by Anglicans.

Strategies

: 1.

Offer encouragement at Diocesan and parish levels 2.

Increased education on evangelism • • • • • •

Progress to Date: Diocesan Gathering in June 2004 focused on evangelism Children’s Ministry Task Force in progress Christian Basics (introduction to evangelism) being offered in increasing number of parishes Cursillo is one of the strongest Cursillo movements in Canada Education for Ministry (EFM) graduates more participants than any other Diocese Alpha programs offered in over half of the parishes

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6) Congregational Development

From Vision to A ction Goal: Increase number and size of congregations and parishes

Progress to Date:

Strategies

: • 1.

2.

3.

4.

Healthy parishes / reconciliation techniques Church planting Aid for small /struggling parishes Parish growth • • • • • •

Diocesan Development Plan established:

–

New church purchased in Parkland

– –

County PrayerWorks Hall at St. Faith’s Fulltime clergy appointed for Edson & Whitecourt

–

Re-establishing parish ministries in rural communities (formerly closed) Models for alternative ministries for small parishes under consideration Task Force established to look at parish growth Parish successes and needs being addressed Four stewardship articles written for Messenger Fostering strong communication between parishes and the Diocese, e.g., Toll Free number Several parish turnarounds (e.g., Parkland County)

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7) Social Justice

From Vision to A ction Goal: Heighten visibility and presence of the church in the arena of social and political issues Strategies

: Create staff positions with specific portfolios (e.g., children, housing, health, refugees, environment, poverty, Aboriginal issues) • • • • • • • •

Progress to Date: Diocesan Task Force created Vocational Deacons with special social justice portfolios under consideration Residential Schools Settlement One Métis Priest and one First Nations Deacon Involvement with Youth Justice court/programs PrayerWorks Hall addresses variety of social issues Women’s Reintegration Chaplaincy Inner City Pastoral Ministry responds to social needs

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