Today we gathered for a time of fun and fellowship as we re-connected with Mission2018, our corporate calling. As we've explored in the past two weeks, Mission2018 is the product of at least fifteen years of Good Shepherd wrestling with language that articulates God's call to our community. It is a remarkable document- and it's filled with possibilities.
Today's meeting was an opportunity to "dust off" our calling as expressed in Mission2018. We participated in a "speed-dating" activity of sorts where folks were asked to examine the seven Mission Imperatives and then choose two that interested them the most.
As the not-so-subtle theme to "The Magnificent Seven" played in the background, folks traveled to meet Vestry members that were posted in various places around the Parish Hall and Sanctuary. Each Vestry member facilitated conversation asking three questions:
- What does this Mission Imperative mean to you personally?
- Consider ministry here at Good Shepherd: Where are we living into this Mission Imperative?
- What are the possibilities for ministry in our community as we examine this Mission Imperative?
Thank you to all who attended this memorable event!
Please join us as we continue the conversation and discover together what God has in store for our community. See you next Sunday!
Today's Form was most informative. It was great to see more participants. In regards to a few questions: I want to know that The Vestry, who is the Center, (like it or not folk, you are.) are making these decisions in a corporate (Vestry) prayerful manner seeking God's will for GS and not a personal agenda or a corp. structure that will shut out the movement of the H.S. I believe that walls need to breathe and move with the HS.
ReplyDeleteI also wish to know to whom I will be accountable. If I join a group, who is the ultimate responsible person. If I have an idea for a new ministry or a new program, to whom do I go and in what fracture. I know this is in the planning, but life and ministry and God moves on, so at least can we know for those Fractals now in place? Who are the Leaders and who are the 4 others (VP's; sub-leaders, whatever)?
Since Tom+ is walking beside/within the Vestry rather then being the "Rector", "authority","center", how does this work since he doesn't have a vote on the Vestry? What authority, if any, does Tom+ hold?
Personally, I see this as a good model of corp. structure and I see it as the emerging church. I realize that even now the one church=one priest model is gone. In the future, this will be the norm, if there is a priest at all. Still, the buck stops somehwere, now it will land on Fr. Tom when it should land on the Vestry. How do we make transition?
Also: If the Pastoral Care Fractal and Hospitality are running, why do we need to hire an Associate Rector? Why can't a lay person serve in this capacity? I know that Grethe has the Leadership of Pastoral Care, by why must it be a priest? Sacramental issues? There is Tom+ and retired clergy to handle that and with more trained lay preachers, even that can be lay done.
Why not save the money and put it into ministry?
Not a suggestion - just a question?
Great work everyone. Sorry if I seem like a thorn; these are sincere questions that I'm sure you've discussed, prayed and discerned, all I'm asking is, what have you come up with as answers?
I encourage the discussion and I will follow as God leads and as the Vestry wishes as well as the Fractal 4. My prayers are daily with you, Fr. Tom and Grethe. God is good and all will be well.
Your Servant in Christ, Ann+