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Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
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Episcopal Diocese of Maine |
Mission in Maine
Principals for Mission
Guiding the Sessions
Bibliography and Resources
(When printing this page expect to use about 12 pages.)
Introduction
This study guide has been developed by the Clerical and Lay Compensation and Review Committee to further the understanding and promote the practice of the Principles for Mission passed by the 2000 Diocesan Convention.
The 1999 Diocesan Convention charged the Clerical and Lay Compensation and Review Committee to "present proposals to next year’s Convention in order to make salaries more equitable within the diocese." It soon became obvious to the Committee that in order to address effectively the compensation of all clergy the diocese needs to know itself as a systemic, integrated, mutually responsible, and interdependent body. This means we must realize that the mission of Episcopal life in Maine is the result of the dynamic interaction of healthy congregations rather than the by-product of the activity of individual congregations in various states of repair. The Committee presented eight Principles for Mission, which were passed by the 2000 Convention. The Principles provide specific commitments to further the realization of our Diocesan Vision Statement:
Our vision is that congregations, commissioned and empowered by the Holy Spirit, will grow as ambassadors of Christ’s reconciliation to God’s world. (II Corinthians 5:1ff)
To enable this to happen, we envision that: Congregations will develop
the resources and leadership to support individual and collective ministry, and diocesan
leaders will provide support to these ministries.
(adopted by Diocesan Convention, 1994)
The Principles present the diocese within the framework of a living system with interdependencies, commitments, and responsibilities that affect and impact all. The Committee also recognizes that the whole process of addressing clerical and lay compensation in the new millenium requires creative thinking very much outside the box. If we are to remedy any dilemmas and non-edifying situations we presently face, the church of the future must know itself and others differently. The structure to do this is already in place in existing committees and resources. The Principles do not presuppose a major re-organization, although they well may call forth some re-assessment, strengthening, re-orienting, and creative alternatives.
Overall, the Principles address all the people of God of the Diocese of Maine, but particularly, they bring renewed emphasis and energy to the struggling churches. By such focus the Principles encourage all of us to turn over our perception of the struggling congregations as "problems" and to see them, rather, as potential and actual representatives of cutting-edge ministries. This will build confidence in the truth of the unity we share and guarantee not only the long-term existence of these congregations but also their growth and fruitfulness. Their presence informs and calls to action the ministry of the rest of the diocese. Together, as one body, through the spiritual vitality that unity brings, our vision of mission and ministry will be realized.
RESOLVED that this 181st Convention of the Diocese of Maine accept the Principles for Mission Within Congregations in the Diocese of Maine as described below:
deployment, and compensation to support the ministry of all baptized people.
Principles 2 and 7, and 3 and 4, deal with the same basic subject matter. They have been combined to reduce the number of study sessions to six. For instance, six weekly sessions are typical for Lenten study courses, and since this is only a guide and not a fully developed and definitive curriculum, the number of sessions may be altered to meet the needs of leaders and participants in any particular congregational or regional setting. We recommend that no fewer than six sessions be scheduled to study all of the Principles, whether the sessions are daily, weekly, or monthly. The ground covered is fertile and filled with possibilities for presentation, study, and discussion.
The Guide also presumes some creativity on the part of those who guide and facilitate the sessions. The suggested list of resources for each session is not exhaustive. A facilitator’s favorite resource, germane to the Principle being considered, such as an example from church history, spiritual literature, a contemporary quote, etc., will be presented with more heart and evoke a more heartfelt response than one used simply because it was suggested by the Study Guide. The suggested resources were chosen because of their authority in the life of our church as well as their ready availability in every congregation. There is no requirement to purchase special resource material for this course of study.
Widespread study and discussion of the Principles is bound to result in creative suggestions that will be of great value to the work of the Clerical and Lay Compensation and Review Committee. By undertaking this course of study, all participants will enter into the work of the committee, central to which is the diocese-wide dissemination of creative suggestions and possibilities. Therefore, an integral part of the course is the provision for e-mailing (or otherwise communicating) pertinent observations and suggestions to the committee through its Chair. John Ineson: jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com, P.O. Box 627, Damariscotta, ME 04543.
The primary purpose of the sessions is to provide a suitable forum for identifying the Principle being considered in
In the statement of each session’s Principle, the actions called for by commitment to the Principle are underlined. These commitments are key words for each session.
The mission/vision statement of the congregation might be posted where it will be visible to participants. In the course of discussion this will provide an opportunity to assess where the congregation stands in relation to its stated goals.
Sessions will work best with eight to twelve participants. If significantly more register for the sessions, more than one session should be held. The option of more than one meeting day and time may also attract more participants. Consider meeting in homes rather than at the church, as this may produce a more relaxed and creative discussion.
The session segments have recommendations for resources used in each segment. These are not intended to be limiting. Those guiding these sessions should feel free to use appropriate quotes and passages of their own choosing.
"Don’t lead, tweak!" was the advice of one of the religious education professionals consulted. Those guiding the sessions should think of themselves as facilitators, mediators, or guides, not as teachers or leaders. We have been conditioned by radio and television to abhor dead air time, and we tend to see silence as a time when something should be going on. A good tweaker realizes the value of times when, as the Prayer Book says, "Silence may be kept."
Active participation of attendees is more important than what is produced by each session. Segments calling for readings or leadership (as in the Catechism or Bible segment) give an opportunity to delegate a reader/leader.
The anticipated length of each session is ninety minutes. Sessions should begin and end on time, and the suggestions for segment length should be recognized at the outset of each session. Although it is not necessary to do so, an agenda listing the segments with their time length might be posted. Action items and Benefits are allotted the most time, since these segments will bear the most fruit. A typical session might run: Rationale – 2--3 min.; Opening Prayer – 2--3; Identify – 5--10; Prayer Book – 5--10; Bible Study – 10--15; Action Items/Benefits – 30; Session Review - 5; Closing Prayer – 2--3;. The main concern is not to let the earlier segments crowd Action Items/Benefits, which is the central exercise.
Segments
Rationale is offered to provide background and set the scene for each session. The statement reflects the thinking of the members of the Clerical and Lay Compensation and Review Committee who drafted the Principles. It may be used only to brief the leader or may be read or otherwise shared with class members.
Opening Prayer demonstrates how we address the session’s theme in prayer. The Lord’s Prayer and a prayer apropos of the time of day might also be added.
Hymn (optional): Hymns are sung prayers. A hymn(or hymns) listed at Opening Prayer is suggested for each session and may be used for either the Opening Prayer, the Closing Prayer, or as a stand up break during the session.
Identify gives an opportunity for participants to orient and sharpen the focus of their thinking around the subject of the Principle under consideration. Newsprint lists or some other visible recording should be made and posted to stand as a reminder of the subject at hand during the session. Identify also allows the participants to put flesh on the verbal bones of the Principle by identifying activities already in practice or those needed in the congregation, to further the Principle’s goal. Human and other resources available or needed should be identified as well. This should be a fairly rapid, brainstorming activity meant to focus thinking. Pick only one of the suggested questions. Extensive discussion is more appropriate to Action Items/Benefits, when the information produced by the previous session segments should result in better-informed participants. Some items listed during Identify might be marked for further discussion during Action Items/Benefits.
Prayer Book offers several references in which the session’s theme is central.
Catechism reveals how the theme appears in our church’s teaching.
Bible Study is intended to be a brief, classic Bible study using whichever passage is most amenable to the person guiding the session. The session’s theme should be referenced often to keep participants on track in their discussion. The question should be: How does this biblical passage speak to this session’s theme?
Action items suggested by this session is intended to evoke practical suggestions that can be carried out by the congregation in its common life, its community, the diocese, and so on. It is to this segment that the whole session points. This segment prompts specific action(s) actually to be taken. Benefits recognizes another truth: our God-given human nature predisposes us to be most motivated to act in ways which bring us the most benefit (bringing benefit to others may be recognized as being of great benefit to ourselves as well). Here specific benefits to ourselves and to our congregation are to be identified.
Session Review provides an opportunity for participants to assess the effectiveness of the session and to mention highlights (both negative and positive). This should be a fairly rapid, feedback segment that can both assess and sum up the session.
Closing prayer, like Opening Prayer, is an example of how we address God about the theme. If sessions are held in the evening and time allows, Compline could be used with suggested prayers included in that office.
Creative suggestions is expected to produce ideas that will be included on the Compensation Committee page of the diocesan Web site, www.diomaine.org/compcomm.htm. Suggestions will also be included in appropriate mailings and publications, and directed to commissions and committees where they can be implemented most effectively.
Six Study Sessions
We are committed to supporting the ministry of all baptized people.
Rationale: Christians are those who have been baptized. All Christians are called to ministry and to the mutual support and encouragement of all persons and of each other. In the celebration of Holy Baptism all promise to support the candidate(s) for baptism in the Christian life, and all re-state promises to proclaim the Good News, to seek and serve Christ in all persons, and to strive for justice, peace, and respect for human dignity. These promises state the mission of Christian ministry. Therefore baptism is, among other things, a celebration of commitment to mutual support and encouragement of the ministry to which all Christians are called.
Opening prayer: (hymn: 296, We know that Christ is raised) BCP p. 308, prayer for the newly baptized.
Identify the ministries being done in this congregation, and left undone. This segment could begin with a reading of I Corinthians 12:4-31 which directly speaks to the Principle.
Prayer Book: Baptismal liturgy: p. 303, 304; or p. 292, The Renewal of Baptismal Vows. What have the candidates and the congregation promised?
Catechism: p. 855, p. 858.
Bible Study: (pick a passage) Mark 1:9-11, the baptism of Jesus; Acts 8:26-39, Philip’s baptism of the Ethiopian eunuch; John 3:1-15, Jesus and Nicodemus; Galatians 3:23-29, One in Christ through baptism; I Corinthians 12 (part or all); I Corinthians 3:5-9
Action items suggested by this session?
Benefits to individuals/congregation/diocese?
Session Review: How did this session go? Do you feel on board?
Closing Prayer: BCP p. 833, Prayer of St. Francis.
(send creative suggestions from this session to jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com)
We are committed to a vision of ordained ministry as primarily supporting the ministry of all baptized people, and we uphold, value, and celebrate ordained ministry.
Rationale: The church recognizes the servant ministry of deacons, the pastoral ministry of priests and the apostolic ministry of bishops. All three orders are called to serve for the building up of the church and the resulting spread of God’s kingdom. The building up of the church occurs most effectively when the ordained ministers interpret their call primarily as one of support for all the baptized – that is, as consultative rather than controlling, as facilitative rather than directive. Although we are always ministered to in the very act of ministering, this principle reasserts the primary orientation of ordained persons as being there for the benefit of the baptized and the recognition and celebration of the value of that presence by all. Value is a key concept. The ordained are of value to the mission of the church. A call to the ordained ministry does not mean that value should be ignored. Value and compensation should be connected.
Opening Prayer: (hymn: 359, God of the prophets); p.548: The Litany for Ordinations; or Book of Occasional Services, p. 212
Identify: (pick one question) What is done by the three orders of ordained ministry in this congregation (should there be no Deacon present, what might be done by a Deacon?)? How is the ministry of all supported by the ordained? How is/are the ordained supported by all?
Prayer Book: p.510, Preface to the Ordination Rites; p.517, examination of a Bishop; p.531, examination of a Priest; p.543, examination of a Deacon; pp. 510--551 Ordination liturgies, especially vows and petitions in litany p.548,
Catechism: p.855,– The Ministry
Bible Study: (pick a passage) Acts 1:20-26, the selection of Matthias; Luke 10:1-12, sending forth the 70; Ephesians 4:10-12, the gift of various ministries
Action Items suggested by this session (what to do?).
Benefits to individuals/congregation/diocese?
Review: How did this session go? Do you feel on board?
Closing Prayer: p.817, prayer 9; p. 256, prayer III.
(send creative suggestions from this session to jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com.)
We are committed to upholding the well-being of every congregation, in particular by helping congregations support the spiritual development of current members as well as helping congregations, regardless of their size, grow numerically and financially as the Holy Spirit may lead.
Rationale: The Diocese of Maine is an organic, living body whose constituent parts are identifiable as individuals, congregations, regions, and diocese gathered in convention or represented by Diocesan Council. The health, well-being, and strength of any part affects the overall health of the diocese. Weaker parts are not problems to be eliminated but opportunities for increased strength. The wheel may roll with a weak or broken spoke but not as resiliently as the wheelwright intended. The Kingdom of God is more than numbers; yet, increased outreach, membership, and budget can be expressed numerically. These numbers often increase in direct proportion to the personal spiritual growth of members. Enthusiasm for good works, generosity, and growth come with the deepening and broadening of faith. The well-being of congregations is the direct result of the spiritual health of members.
Opening Prayer: (Hymn: 521, Put forth, O God); BCP. pp. 383--393 – any one of the Prayers of the People; p. 257, one of prayers #16.
Identify: (pick one question) What resources and leadership does this congregation need to "support individual and collective ministry" (from Diocesan Vision Statement)? What training do I need to do in my ministry? Which spokes are broken? Which spokes are useable but cracked (see Rationale)? What do we have to share with other congregations?
Prayer Book: Discuss petitions in the Prayers of the People form used as Opening Prayer, or if a hymn was used, pick a form of Prayers of the People to discuss.
Catechism: p.854, The Church
Bible Study: (pick a passage) Romans 12; John 4:35.
Action Items suggested by this session?
Benefits to individuals/congregation/diocese?
Review: How did this session go? Do you feel on board?
Closing Prayer: Last prayer, BCP p. 280; p. 578, a Litany of Thanksgiving for a Church
(Send creative suggestions from this session to jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com.)
4.
We are committed to increasing financial resources available to support congregations and exploring creative ways to accomplish this goal.
Rationale: Episcopalians in the Diocese of Maine have it within our power to generate the financial resources necessary to carry out the mission our church. The issue, statewide, is generation and distribution of those resources. The willing and joyful generation and distribution of resources requires a heartfelt understanding of the truth of our interconnectedness in the body of believers who constitute the diocese. Good stewardship means we must be conscious of our interconnectedness and the specific unmet needs of particular congregations. Good stewardship is encouraged by publicizing and celebrating examples of generosity and abundance in the church’s life. We are called by this Principle to examine all aspects of possible generation and distribution of resources as well as to assess where those resources can be deployed most effectively.
Opening Prayer: (hymn: 530, Spread, O spread thou mighty word; 537, Christ for the world we sing) BCP p. 827 #38.
Identify: (pick one question) What are examples of interconnectedness through interdependence in our congregation/area/diocese? What needs might others help us to meet? What needs do others have which we might meet?
Prayer Book: No direct reference.
Catechism: p. 856, the last Q. & A. in the Ministry section - work, pray, and give.
Bible Study: I Corinthians 16:1-4, collection for congregations in need; Acts 4:32-37, early church organization and benevolence; Luke 6:38, give and it will be given.
Action Items suggested by this session?
Benefits to individuals/congregation/diocese?
Review: How did this session go? Do you feel on board?
Closing prayer: p.816, prayer 7; p.125 (top of page).
(Send creative suggestions from this session to jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com.)
We are committed to exploring and testing innovative ways to provide and support lay and ordained ministry in congregations.
Rationale: Money is not always the answer. In fact, money flows to us most freely as a result of living out our stated mission and ministry. We need innovative ways to equip and encourage the ministry of all believers, ways that may not require that the financial resources come first. We need to be willing to test our approaches without ego attachment. Should innovations not prove edifying, they should be seen as successful determinations that a particular approach is not effective rather than being interpreted as failure. Within the broad constraints of Canon Law we are free to build the Body of Christ in new ways of new materials. The One who will give it life is always the same. Saint Francis said, "Always preach the Gospel; sometimes use words."
Opening Prayer: (hymn 343, Shepherd of souls; 525, The Church’s one foundation) p.816, prayers 7 & 8; p. 528, top of page.
Identify: (pick one question) What do we do in this congregation/region/diocese that may be described as innovative? How could we better explore possible innovations? What innovations have we heard of that we might use?
Prayer Book: No direct reference.
Catechism: No direct reference.
Bible Study: Acts 18:1-4, Paul as tentmaker/preacher; 2 Corinthians 5:17-18; Isaiah 42:9-10a, new things.
Action Items suggested by this session?
Benefits to individuals/congregation/diocese?
Review: How did this session go? Do you feel on board?
Closing Prayer: BCP p. 838 #3; p. 100, third prayer
(Send creative suggestions from this session to jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com.)
We are committed to the creative use and effective management of clergy resources, and to deployment and compensation to support the ministry of all baptized people.
Rationale: There are many clergy in Maine who could help us meet our various needs for ordained clergy. Some are parish clergy, some multi-vocational priests, some deacons, many retired. "Effective management" means actively managing diocesan human resources, overseeing and facilitating effective congregation/clergy matches, engaging in the Mutual Study of Ministry, and determining market compensation and how to pay to market. This means introducing some structure, analysis, and planning to the management of clergy. The basic structures for "effective management" already exist in the diocese and can be assessed to determine where they can be strengthened or re-oriented.
Opening Prayer: (Hymn: 541, Come, labor on; 528, Lord, you give the great commission); p.818, prayer 12; p. 533 (add usual superscription or closing clause).
Identify: (pick one question) How do we (in this congregation) make "creative use" of clergy, and how could we be more creative? How does "effective management" take place here, and how could it be made more effective? What supports are in place for the ministry of all baptized people in this congregation and what could be added?
Prayer Book: No direct reference.
Catechism: p. 852, The Holy Spirit; p.854, The Church
Bible Study: I Timothy 5:17,18, the laborer deserves his wages; Matthew 20:1-16 – parable of the laborers in the vineyard;
Action Items suggested by this session?
Benefits to individuals/congregation/diocese?
Review: How did this session go? Do you feel on board?
Closing Prayer: Nunc Dimittis, p. 120; p. 838, #3.
(Send creative suggestions from this session to jiai@lincoln.midcoast.com.)
Holy Bible
Book of Common Prayer
The Hymnal 1982
Lesser Feasts and Fasts
The Book of Occasional Services
The Mitford Series, by Jan Karon (A New Song; At Home in Mitford; A Light in the Window; These High, Green Hills; Out to Canaan)
"I have heard these books both lauded and regarded as fluff. As one who is constantly questioning my faith these books have given me quite a bit to think about and have brought many of the Episcopal issues that we have been discussing to light for me."
Books of prayers by The Rev. Edward Hays, Forest of Peace Publishing: (Prayers for the Domestic Church; Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim; Prayers for the Servants of God)
"Ed Hays writes great prayers for all occasions and recaptures the ancient Celtic tradition of praying at all occasions, moving the user of his prayers closer to Paul’s admonition, "Pray without ceasing." These prayers are written in the spirit of creation spirituality."
Total Ministry, by Stewart Zabriskie, Alban Institute
". . . a new way for local congregations (especially small ones) to organize their response to God’s call and to provide resources, support, and encouragement for ministry."
Body Building, by Brian Bauknight, Abingdon Press
"This book by a Methodist recommends creative ways to reclaim the place of laity in congregational life. It has some good ideas consistent with the Principles."
Survival or Revival, ten keys to church vitality, by Carnegie Calian, Westminster John Knox Press
"This book looks at ten must-have, areas of life in an excellent congregation, giving creative suggestions for growing and strengthening each area."
This is a work in progress. Please communicate your bibliographical suggestions to the Compensation Committee for inclusion in the online version of the Study Guide.
back to the Compensation Committee page
back to the Diocese of Maine home page
