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Enabling Action
Turning vision into action and setting change in motion. Pam Robinson is a lay leader with the role of vision coordinator in the parish of Edgeley and Cheadle Heath, in Chester diocese, which recently merged from three congregations into one. She attended a local Enabling Action event with her vicar the Rev David Brewster. ‘As a business analyst who is immersed in management practices at work, it has been fascinating to take a look at leadership from a faith perspective. Beyond some obvious comparisons, the events have helped us discover the best shape which puts us in a position to reach out in our community. The resulting vision is very un-business-like: seeking God, sharing our gifts and serving the world. ‘Leading Edge has been thought-provoking, fun and challenging. It has provided reassurance that we’re going in the right direction and the encouragement of hearing from others who are going through a similar process. It has also taught me about how listening to people’s valid concerns can help bring about effective change.
Discerning Direction The role of vision in the life of a local church.
Kirrilee Reid is the rector of All Saints, Glencarse, in Scotland, having previously worked as a youth worker, lecturer and Anglican priest in Australia. She attended the Discerning Direction event in Dundee.
Building and Maintaining Teams
Working well with others and developing effective teams. Matthew Fitter is the team rector of Anerley team ministry, in Rochester diocese, which hosted an event earlier this year. ‘Leading Edge highlighted the importance of being intentional about building and growing teams – it doesn’t just happen on its own. We looked at the biblical basis of teams, including Jesus’ teamworking and the ‘one body, many parts’ passage.’ ‘We were able to focus on how the topic can be applied to where we are each serving. It also helped me see how a clear team vision and direction enables us to have a much sharper cutting edge for God’s mission in this place.’
‘Leading Edge highlighted the importance of being intentional about building and growing teams.‘
Missional Leadership
Ensuring that the call to mission remains integral to local church life and leadership. Paul Owen is rector of Denton in Chichester diocese, a church which serves two villages where he has been for the past five years. He attended a Missional Leadership event in Billingshurst recently.
‘The event came about a year into my current post, so it was a timely reminder of the importance of collectively setting a vision for the purpose of a church.
‘It is important for leaders to engage with their missional responsibilities but sometimes it’s hard graft as the incumbent of a village parish. The event fed my passion for mission, sharpened up my thinking, and helped those present to share their progress, talk about different experiences and discuss what we’ve all learnt along the way.
‘The direction we’re seeking is still a work in progress, as we look into what gifts we have and what the needs are in this area. The focus of the vision which we are working towards will contain the key elements of a deepening spirituality for the people within the church, as well as opening the church up and bringing others in.’
‘At Denton we’re looking at our vision, focusing on the values, identity and purpose of our church. It inspired me to press on and make sure that the core of the church continue to be on-stream with that – how we serve the existing congregation and reach out to new people – because it’s important that God’s vision for what we are doing is owned by the church members, not just me.’ catalyst 17