Regional Mission Teams

In many corners of the Diocese there has been expressed interest on the part of the clergy in collaborating more closely and exploring team ministry. This has been fuelled by a desire to respond more creatively to parish needs, to share gifts and resources, and to overcome professional isolation.

Northern Lights parish is an example of a number of parishes moving together into a formal relationship of team ministry. Schreiber/Marathon is also in a team relationship with Manitouwadge.

Other places are exploring less formal regional mission teams. Several clergy in the northern parts of the Muskoka Deanery are collaborating on how they might structure a team ministry. The clergy in the city of North Bay have collaborated on offering their educational opportunities to the members of all congregations. Collaboration of this kind can lead to greater creativity and will garner valuable input for the new Diocesan Task Force that will be looking at restructuring for mission.

Flowing from our commitment to mutual ministry, we should see each parish as a mission team. The responsibility of each incumbent is to gather Lay Readers, Honorary Associates, educators, parish visitors and workers to carry forth Christ's work in their area. The growth plans that were presented at Synod 2005 are a sketch of where each parish sees its priorities.

Many incumbents may well want to take that spirit of collaboration further with regional mission teams. The following are guidelines for incumbents who would like to collaborate with two or three neighbours.

  • 1. The conversations should begin with two or three nearby clergy who have the desire to work more closely together.
  • 2. Resource sharing, pulpit exchanges, combined education programs, shared lay leadership, etc. can all be done by mutual consent.
  • 3. Where an incumbent is going to spend more than 10 per cent of his/her time doing work in a neighbouring parish, there should be consent and ownership by the Advisory Boards involved.
  • 4. Any financial resources needed for the mission teams should be developed locally by the ownership and commitment of local enthusiasts and donors. (Small grants and SEED money are sometimes available from outside agencies.)
  • 5. The Regional Deans and the Archdeacons should be kept informed.
  • 6. A more extensive partnering of parishes could involve a written proposal, consent of the Bishop, and consent of the vestries involved.
  • 7. Collaborative arrangements do not, in any way, diminish the responsibility that all incumbents have for their own parishes under their letters of appointment.

    • In short, collaboration and creativity are encouraged. Do not forget to write down your learnings and share them for the benefit of all.

     

    Item 69

    ©2005 Ronald C. Ferris