Vision Days: Affirming Leadership
Around half our 700+ ministers of all types from across the diocese attended one of the Archidiaconal Vision Days in September and October 2023, or an abbreviated catch up session. So that all ministers including those who were unable to attend can familiarise themselves with the new shared ministerial roles that are available to lead churches into flourishing as collaborative, generous and missional worshipping communities, the key materials are now available here online.
Please listen to the talks, read and reflect on the suggested bible texts, and use the offered act of worship yourself or with colleagues and parishioners.
Key message and purpose
The Vision Day was offered to share next steps, now Deanery Partnerships have been defined as administrative subdivisions of the diocese, and Local Mission Partnerships established as collaborative families of local churches, each with a clear vocation expressed in its self-identified Church Type. We now enter the next phase, beginning to fill affordable vacant posts, to develop dynamic ministry teams, clarify missional objectives and look at new ways of offering local leadership.
Collaboration
Working together is at the heart of the TTCT vision. Leading our churches into flourishing is not just the role of a vicar – if each church is to be a collaborative Christian family, its leadership must model that collaboration. God has gifted our churches with a wonderful range of ministers and leaders, with a host of complementary skills. Read the chosen Bible Text on this subject by clicking Romans 12.1-8.
Click here to see five questions you might like to discuss when you’ve watched the video.
Click Table Talk 1 to read what reactions were at the Vision Days
Generosity
Gospel-based discipleship requires generosity in individuals and worshipping communities. Generosity is about money but much more. Our churches will not thrive and flourish unless they find a real generosity our ministry and leadership must both teach that and model it.
Read the chosen Bible Text by clicking Luke 19.1-10.
Click here to see five questions you might like to discuss when you’ve watched the video.
Click Table Talk 2 to read what reactions were at the Vision Days
Growth
A flourishing church is one which loves to share its faith with others and bring more folk to know the Lord and participate in being the people of God in their places. Growth is about infectious faith, genuine worship, persistent invitation and generous hospitality. Only if our churches are built on this principle will they flourish and grow, and we are challenged as leaders both to demonstrate and teach this love and persistence. Read the chosen Bible Text by clicking Luke 10.25-37.
Click here to see four questions you might like to discuss when you’ve watched the video.
Click Table Talk to read what reactions were at the Vision Days
What have we heard, what have we learned?
Please reflect yourself and with others on what you take away from the material provided here.
Praying and worshipping together
At the vision days, all our learning and discussion was embedded in a day of rich and relevant prayer and worship, based on the monastic round of daily prayer. Please use one of these acts of worship for yourself or when you are with others to explore this vision of ministry and leadership.
Click Worship 4 None to bring up the words of one of the acts of worship – a PDF so you can share/print it.
See below Holy Spirit, come to us to connect with a version of the Taizé chant we used in the worship.
Related resources
Thank you for following this material. If you wish to share any comments, please email ttct@lincoln.anglican.org