People power sets Chelmsford Diocese on course for spring clean
One thousand members of the Church of England across Essex and East London have contributed to a consultation on how the Church can thrive over the coming decades with fewer paid clergy.
They joined forces at a conference on 21 January 2012 called ‘Time to Talk’ and gave their views on the priorities for Chelmsford Diocese set out in a paper entitled ‘Transforming Presence:’
- Inhabiting the world distinctively.
- Evangelising effectively.
- Serving with accountability.
- Re-imagining Ministry.
The other paper which was consulted on was 'Developing a new Ministry Strategy for the Parishes and Deaneries' This poses two fundamental questions:
- How can we best accommodate our different understandings of Priestly Ministry and the place of the Eucharist in our worship?
- What sort of authorised Lay Ministry does the church in Essex and East London require for the future?
Many people were drawn to this conference at the Brentwood Centre who had felt isolated and remote from where decisions are made. But they responded to the invitation to speak freely. They disclosed their huge, unleashed potential as people who know more about their corner of the diocese than those who appear to be set above them. And they demonstrated that they are ready to become a transforming presence instead of submitting to the pressures of the world.
The consultation revealed a spirit of working together. Delegates who had gathered as strangers around the 100 tables, parted as friends. They agreed that Church does not mean a building, a parish and a priest but living together in Christ. The consultation uncovered a sense of purpose and commitment and brought into the open a desire for change.
A new style was in the air. Church members expressed their enthusiasm and pride in belonging to the Church. They felt that their participation is welcomed and recognised, and that they can make a real difference. They wanted to be more visible and accessible and to set an example.
There was evidence of people knowing what they are looking for from themselves and one another, being determined to give of their best and to make things better.
With one in two paid clergy due to retire by 2020 changes to how team members work together seem inevitable.
Revd Frances Drake, vocations adviser of Brentwood Deanery, commented: "The feeling that I’ve got is that people don’t want the Church to stand still."
Revd Rob Cadman, vicar of St Peter’s in Westcliff, added:
The Bishop of Chelmsford, Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell said: "I’m really excited about what we can discover together about what God wants to do with his Church.
One thing which slightly surprised and encouraged me was that on the essentials of being a church, nobody said ‘minister’ or ‘priest’ – which I don’t read as people thinking that they are not important or wanting to get rid of them but recognising something much deeper. I felt that was a sign of people really beginning to think what is the real essence of being a Christian and a Christian community."
A willingness to innovate and take risks was striking. But will the Church embrace the freedom to simplify, learn and develop? Will lay people and priests - voluntary and paid - agree on how the work should be shared? Will individuals and groups be supported when they speak out against conventional wisdom and make the occasional mistake? Will people talk more about their faith outside the safety of their church?
Every contribution to the consultation is being taken on board. If the energy, consensus and momentum seen at this conference are anything to go by, there will be changes ahead.
A Reflection on ‘Time to Talk’ by Ralph Meloy, Communications Director – Chelmsford Diocese
