Deanery Synod Report.
99th Meeting, Wednesday 19th June 2002 @ St. Matthew’s, Carver St.
The meeting opened with worship, followed by elections from: the meeting as a whole, the House of Laity and the House of Clergy for members of various sub-committees of the Synod. The two central Items of business were as follows:
Ordained Local Ministry
This debate was lead by the Revd. Peter Chambers. OLM had been discussed at PCC and the report I heard from the PCC was that it wasn’t clear what the role was supposed to achieve. Anxieties were about support for OLMs; introducing ‘second-class’ clergy; and the dichotomy of OLMs working within a ‘team ministry’ set against the expectation that they could provide small congregations with a priest to celebrate on Sundays where a full-time post could not be justified. A vote was taken on reporting one of the following to the Diocese:
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Votes |
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a) The Synod recommends that the Diocese should explore OLM and set up and OLM scheme. |
1 |
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b) The Synod is of a mind that OLM is important but needs further qualification. |
10 |
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c) The Synod recommends OLM is not the way forward and that the Diocese should explore alternatives. |
25 |
However, it is important to recognise that the Church does need to explore new models for ministry, involving different ways for lay members and clergy to work together in ministry. However I don’t believe that this will be achieved ‘top down’ but rather the churches with effective contemporary ministry will thrive and those without will fade. Obviously the Diocese is anxious to avoid this, but observation of what is viable will probably be more effective than trying to codify a modern ‘approach’ to ministry.
Christian Giving
Nick Hutton, the Diocesan Christian Giving Director, gave the Synod the same presentation which he has given St. Mary’s PCC and congregation about the financial needs of the church and a Christian response to those needs. We were reminded that most of our ‘Quota’ comes straight back into the Parish as stipend for the priest and housing costs. It is of great encouragement to hear that although one of the poorer Diocese, our giving, averaging £8.50 each per week (including recovered tax), is much higher than many other, notionally wealthier, Diocese and Sheffield is quite healthy in that respect. However, there is still work to be done and, as we have just had a Christian Giving Review, so every church should to promote the work of God within the Diocese.
Giles