Some honest acknowledgment of failures, and a healthy list of actions:
1.1 Focus on Worship, Bible Study, Dwelling in the Word.
1.2 Make resources available throughout the diocese for renewing worship and the spiritual practices of our members. These include: (a) sharing liturgical resources; (b) use of Gospel-Based Discipleship and other lay-led Bible study and prayer gatherings; and (c)
learning from the Total Ministry model in relation to discipleship.
1.3 Plan a strategy for cultivating a diocesan-wide understanding and use of spiritual gifts, both in relation to ministry in the church and within one’s vocation in the world.
1.4 Convene conversations with groups of leaders throughout the diocese that will invite their imagination and creativity for enhancing the ministry of all the baptized.
1.5 We believe there is a need for a sacramental expression of our openness to God’s call that would involve a diocesan-wide liturgy of repentance, reconciliation and re-dedication of our lives to God’s purposes and mission in the world.
Probably that 40% unchurched population is where most of the Episcopalians went. TEC and other mainliners have a better chance at those people than any (since those folk tend to be liberal) – but that is still not a good chance at all. That’s part of the problem. And since I have no idea how to reach my own unchurched and uninterested coworkers, I have no suggestions.
A very thorough report about a very bleak future. Again, when looking at TEC data, always follow the money. From 1996 through 2002 membership declined by about 11 percent yet Plate & Pledge increased by about 44 percent. Tribute to a wealthy church in a wealthy state. But from 2002 through 2006 membership declined by about 11 percent but Plate & Pledge increased by only about 12 percent. The diocese has about 65 percent of its parishes with Plate & Pledge budgets of less than $100,000. This largely explains why there is very little activity directed to leaving TEC. But it also confirms the report’s grim prediction of further decline and loss of small parishes. I fail to see where the TEC support of the LGBT and same-sex marraige agenda will help to attract families with young children as as the diocese wishes to accomplish. Statmann
The emphasis for evangelism should be on those in the pews first and then on those outside the pews. We have too many people (lay and clergy) today that don’t know the good news of what God has done for them through Jesus Christ and need to learn and accept that before they go out to reach others.
I was shocked and impressed with reading that report. The devolution of diocesan functions, moving out of the diocesan offices, and recognition of past failures was absolutely refreshing. I also did not notice any reference to ecusa or communion wide issues, which for Minnesota might be like arguing over angels dancing on points of needles. But the really refreshing thing was recognition that the old leadership style was [b]not working.[/b]
This is like finding your grandma, rotting in the bedroom, and acknowledging that there might be a “small odor problem.” The Diocese of Minnesota is a disaster. And while I’m somewhat pleased at the report, there are no real answers. +Jelinek has truly been a problem in and of himself, he has surrounded himself with “yes people,” he also has pledged to burn to the ground parishes that don’t meet his growth standards. I have yet to meet a TEC clergy member in this Diocese that might want to preach something standard like the Great Commission, or life after death from Jesus’ resurrection, etc….. As has been mentioned, the problem has been found, but the answer has not.
Some honest acknowledgment of failures, and a healthy list of actions:
1.1 Focus on Worship, Bible Study, Dwelling in the Word.
1.2 Make resources available throughout the diocese for renewing worship and the spiritual practices of our members. These include: (a) sharing liturgical resources; (b) use of Gospel-Based Discipleship and other lay-led Bible study and prayer gatherings; and (c)
learning from the Total Ministry model in relation to discipleship.
1.3 Plan a strategy for cultivating a diocesan-wide understanding and use of spiritual gifts, both in relation to ministry in the church and within one’s vocation in the world.
1.4 Convene conversations with groups of leaders throughout the diocese that will invite their imagination and creativity for enhancing the ministry of all the baptized.
1.5 We believe there is a need for a sacramental expression of our openness to God’s call that would involve a diocesan-wide liturgy of repentance, reconciliation and re-dedication of our lives to God’s purposes and mission in the world.
Probably that 40% unchurched population is where most of the Episcopalians went. TEC and other mainliners have a better chance at those people than any (since those folk tend to be liberal) – but that is still not a good chance at all. That’s part of the problem. And since I have no idea how to reach my own unchurched and uninterested coworkers, I have no suggestions.
A very thorough report about a very bleak future. Again, when looking at TEC data, always follow the money. From 1996 through 2002 membership declined by about 11 percent yet Plate & Pledge increased by about 44 percent. Tribute to a wealthy church in a wealthy state. But from 2002 through 2006 membership declined by about 11 percent but Plate & Pledge increased by only about 12 percent. The diocese has about 65 percent of its parishes with Plate & Pledge budgets of less than $100,000. This largely explains why there is very little activity directed to leaving TEC. But it also confirms the report’s grim prediction of further decline and loss of small parishes. I fail to see where the TEC support of the LGBT and same-sex marraige agenda will help to attract families with young children as as the diocese wishes to accomplish. Statmann
The emphasis for evangelism should be on those in the pews first and then on those outside the pews. We have too many people (lay and clergy) today that don’t know the good news of what God has done for them through Jesus Christ and need to learn and accept that before they go out to reach others.
YBIC,
Phil Snyder
I was shocked and impressed with reading that report. The devolution of diocesan functions, moving out of the diocesan offices, and recognition of past failures was absolutely refreshing. I also did not notice any reference to ecusa or communion wide issues, which for Minnesota might be like arguing over angels dancing on points of needles. But the really refreshing thing was recognition that the old leadership style was [b]not working.[/b]
Concur – commendable honesty. Rare.
In my father’s hometown (his grandfather was one of the founders) the former Episcopal Church is now the town museum. Beautiful stone building.
This is like finding your grandma, rotting in the bedroom, and acknowledging that there might be a “small odor problem.” The Diocese of Minnesota is a disaster. And while I’m somewhat pleased at the report, there are no real answers. +Jelinek has truly been a problem in and of himself, he has surrounded himself with “yes people,” he also has pledged to burn to the ground parishes that don’t meet his growth standards. I have yet to meet a TEC clergy member in this Diocese that might want to preach something standard like the Great Commission, or life after death from Jesus’ resurrection, etc….. As has been mentioned, the problem has been found, but the answer has not.