ReShaping the District a Regrouping for Mission Agenda

The Kairos

Regrouping for Mission is increasingly supported by the whole church The District needs to respond now Year two of five Our own distinct response Others are significantly further on

The “Benchmark” ?

A starting point based on best practice and aspirations.

Churches (and staff) should expect to be organised broadly in line with the Benchmark for the District,

unless they can justify a different position.

The Issues

a) Thinking and planning for Mission, including that of the wider Church, Methodist and ecumenical.

The Issues

a) Thinking and planning for Mission, including that of the wider Church, Methodist and ecumenical.

b) Building a sense of discipleship that connects people across churches, circuits, the district and nationally.

The Issues

a) Thinking and planning for Mission, including that of the wider Church, Methodist and ecumenical.

b) Building a sense of discipleship that connects people across churches, circuits, the district and nationally.

c) Rationally sharing resources which are in short supply, or which could be more fully exploited on a wider platform, including ministerial and volunteer staff.

The Issues

a) Thinking and planning for Mission, including that of the wider Church, Methodist and ecumenical.

b) Building a sense of discipleship that connects people across churches, circuits, the district and nationally.

c) Rationally sharing resources which are in short supply, or which could be more fully exploited on a wider platform, including ministerial and volunteer staff.

d) Reducing the time and cost of servicing churches, circuits and districts, leading to an invisible church structure, and releasing energy for mission.

The Issues

a) Thinking and planning for Mission, including that of the wider Church, Methodist and ecumenical.

b) Building a sense of discipleship that connects people across churches, circuits, the district and nationally.

c) Rationally sharing resources which are in short supply, or which could be more fully exploited on a wider platform, including ministerial and volunteer staff.

d) Reducing the time and cost of servicing churches, circuits and districts, leading to an invisible church structure, and releasing energy for mission.

e) Using staff in ways that best enables them to exploit their gifts, and avoids unnecessary pressures.

The Issues

a) Thinking and planning for Mission.

b) Building a sense of discipleship.

c) Rationally sharing.

d) Reducing the time and cost of servicing.

e) Using staff wisely.

The Benchmark ?

1. Circuits should have between 160 and 220 members per minister.

2. Circuits should have between 100 and 150 members per staff member.

3. Circuits should have between 4 and 9 ordained staff ( 640 to 1980 members).

4. Circuits should have a maximum drive time of 60 minutes for the journey between key centres.

5. Circuits should include more than one key church ( 100 members).

Timetable

All Circuits need to respond to this agenda by June 2011.

Timing should be linked to stationing.

An expectation that all will have established their new shape for September 2013, with a few areas encouraged to complete for September 2012.

Process - 1

1. Discussion with Superintendents.

2. Discussion with Circuit Stewards in Autumn meetings.

3. Discussion in circuits .

4. DDE meet with Supers.

5. District Speakers made available to Circuit Meetings.

6. Agenda discussed and agreed by DPE in November.

Process – 2

1.

District facilitates area discussions during January and February 2010.

2.

3.

Additional Circuit Meetings to be arranged if needed.

All Circuits need to respond to this agenda by June 2011.

4.

Circuits working together, and with District support, negotiate the necessary reshaping and fulfil the consultation requirements .

New shapes are recognised at Conference in 2012 and 2013

ReShaping the District a Regrouping for Mission Agenda