Posted Thursday 29 May 2008
New faces, a new post for supporting and encouraging ministry and a fresh batch of candidates for the ministry figure in the highlights of the Ministry Advisory Group’s past year. Rev Peter Potter, its convenor, reports.
Last year we did not have anyone starting training for the authorised ministry. However, by the autumn of 2008 we hope to have as many as six people beginning courses.
This all depends on whether they complete the selection process in time. The Church takes great care over this process and so it is necessarily lengthy. The downside is that it is difficult to predict just when a candidate will be ready to start training and how many there will be from one year to the next.
The March Diocesan Synod approved a proposal for a full-time Ministry Development Officer who will be able to have oversight of all the various facets of ministry in the diocese and be more available to support and encourage ministry, especially among stipendiary clergy.
This past year has been marked by changes in membership of the Group. There are more on the way.
Maureen MacGlashan did sterling work in setting up the system of Individual Development Plans (IDPs) for clergy and Lay Readers. This has been up and running for a couple of years now and is proving a useful tool in helping people to develop their ministry and keep abreast of changes in both the Church and society. Maureen felt the time had come for her to step back and we thank her for all the work she contributed in this important field.
Robin Paisley had been involved in ministerial matters in the diocese for over 10 years, as Director of Ordinands and latterly in encouraging individuals and vestries to foster vocations in their congregations. He too decided it was time to hand over the baton to someone else but remains a source of wisdom and knowledge for the Group.
Jeannette Jenkins has taken over Maureen’s role and has been busy organising training for IDP facilitators and making sure the administration is up-to-date and not a burden for those involved.
As this report goes to press, the next MAG event is the Ministry Celebration service on Saturday 31 May in the Cathedral. This has become a regular feature in our calendar and is the way the whole diocese can give thanks for the immense contribution so many people make to the Church’s ministry.
Category: Ministry Advisory Group
