Ministry Areas in Monmouth Diocese Introduction Monmouth Diocese is increasingly seeing itself as living in Ministry Areas. How did that come about and what are they? Origins concern - - In the mid noughties, a new Continuing Ministry Development (CMD) Officer became increasingly concerned for the welfare of the stipended clergy of the Diocese. Clergy were asked to oversee the life of more and more church communities. The model for doing this was still the parish and it was being stretched to the point where clergy were becoming seriously overburdened and discouraged. pressure - - A search began for a CMD programme, which would equip clergy with more effective skills in ministry, to enable them better to fulfil their ever widening role. Financial constraints loomed and it was realised that the process of creating ever larger benefices was going to accelerate. new thinking - - Different skills were not going to be an adequate answer. Leadership in the church had long been defined as Episcope. Earlier research by the present Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Revd. Dr Steven Croft, was used to define a new local oversight role. The name Area Leadership’ was given ‘Ministry to it. A Area’ is simply the area over which a Ministry Area Leader would have oversight. ‘Ministry new training - - To enable clergy to make the transition to this new role, a formational training programme was needed. It has been designed to enable clergy to enter into both a new understanding and a new practice of ministry. It began in 2013 and continues. The Ministry Area Leader A Ministry Area Leader has episcopal priorities in ministry which are to: Enable others guard and build missionary communities Locate, represent and connect with wider society all in the context of watching over their personal spiritual health. A Ministry Area
Ministry Areas in Monmouth Diocese Introduction Monmouth Diocese is increasingly seeing itself as living in Ministry Areas. How did that come about and what are they? Origins concern - - In the mid noughties, a new Continuing Ministry Development (CMD) Officer became increasingly concerned for the welfare of the stipended clergy of the Diocese. Clergy were asked to oversee the life of more and more church communities. The model for doing this was still the and it was being stretched to the point where clergy were becoming seriously overburdened and discouraged. pressure - - A search began for a CMD programme, which would equip clergy with more effective skills in ministry, to enable them better to fulfil their ever widening role. Financial constraints loomed and it was realised that the process of creating ever larger benefices was going to accelerate. new thinking - - Different skills were not going to be an adequate answer. Leadership in the church had long been defined as Episcope. Earlier research by the present Bishop of Oxford, The Rt Revd. Dr Steven Croft, was used to define a new local oversight role. The name ‘Ministry Area Leadership’ was given to it. A ‘Ministry Area’ is simply the area over which a Ministry Area Leader would have oversight. new training - - To enable clergy to make the transition to this new role, a formational training programme was needed. It has been designed to enable clergy to enter into both a new understanding and a new practice of ministry. It began in 2013 and continues. The Ministry Area Leader A Ministry Area Leader has episcopal priorities in ministry which are to: Enable others guard and build missionary communities Locate, represent and connect with wider society all in the context of watching over their personal spiritual health. A Ministry Area parish
MinistryAreaExplan0317-v3.docx