I am grateful for this post. I would only add that it deepens my conviction that what is needed in this time is recovery of the discipline of ecclesiology. What is the church and what are we being called to be as the community of God's people? They are difficult questions to answer when the pressure of old models can feel so acute.
I absolutely agree. Here in Wales, we're more than a decade into an experiment of radical restructuring that didn't begin with those very questions. I think the result is too many places that are burning clergy out trying to provide services (Eucharists and community activities) with no sense of why other than to keep churches open.
I remember that Church in Wales review/restructuring report from about 2012 or thereabouts. I was reading something following Nick Baines' recent announcement of his retirement and he made a comment about how little review or evaluation there had been of the creation of the super-diocese of Leeds about a decade ago. Has there been any evaluation of the changes in the Church in Wales system? If not, what's the obstacle to doing so?
Not a proper one. A resolution was introduced last year calling for the establishment of an independent audit of Ministry Areas, but the Bishops lined up against it to defeat it. There's supposedly a learning group process instead to share ideas, but there's no sign of anything coming out of it.
I’ve worked in congregational development and renewal for decades. One thing we learned was to determine a congregation’s readiness for the work.
What this recognizes is the primary reason for a resistance to change is leaders (on every level compliancy to the status quo. I learned early on that there is not idea, or plan that local leaders cannot screw up. This is true too for Bishops and dioceses.
Here is what I would underscore to those who will listen, “if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten!” Or “Insanity can best be described as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!”
Of course, today the movement is toward discipleship and spiritual formation. And the movement away from Christendom models to movement models.
Can anything good come out of the burnout? Not much until you stop doing what you’ve always done, maintaining the parish system, and start making disciples not members.
There is evidence in our history that twelve disciples can change the world 🌎 if they are committed to our two core values; the great commission and the great commandment.
I am grateful for this post. I would only add that it deepens my conviction that what is needed in this time is recovery of the discipline of ecclesiology. What is the church and what are we being called to be as the community of God's people? They are difficult questions to answer when the pressure of old models can feel so acute.
I absolutely agree. Here in Wales, we're more than a decade into an experiment of radical restructuring that didn't begin with those very questions. I think the result is too many places that are burning clergy out trying to provide services (Eucharists and community activities) with no sense of why other than to keep churches open.
I remember that Church in Wales review/restructuring report from about 2012 or thereabouts. I was reading something following Nick Baines' recent announcement of his retirement and he made a comment about how little review or evaluation there had been of the creation of the super-diocese of Leeds about a decade ago. Has there been any evaluation of the changes in the Church in Wales system? If not, what's the obstacle to doing so?
Not a proper one. A resolution was introduced last year calling for the establishment of an independent audit of Ministry Areas, but the Bishops lined up against it to defeat it. There's supposedly a learning group process instead to share ideas, but there's no sign of anything coming out of it.
I’ve worked in congregational development and renewal for decades. One thing we learned was to determine a congregation’s readiness for the work.
What this recognizes is the primary reason for a resistance to change is leaders (on every level compliancy to the status quo. I learned early on that there is not idea, or plan that local leaders cannot screw up. This is true too for Bishops and dioceses.
Here is what I would underscore to those who will listen, “if you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you have always gotten!” Or “Insanity can best be described as doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results!”
Of course, today the movement is toward discipleship and spiritual formation. And the movement away from Christendom models to movement models.
Can anything good come out of the burnout? Not much until you stop doing what you’ve always done, maintaining the parish system, and start making disciples not members.
There is evidence in our history that twelve disciples can change the world 🌎 if they are committed to our two core values; the great commission and the great commandment.