Diocesan News
Bishop Of Connor Launches Vision Strategy
Clergy from parishes across Connor attended the launch of the diocesan Vision Strategy in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast, on February 8.
The Rt Rev Alan Abernethy, Bishop of Connor, launches the diocesan Vision Strategy in St Anne’s Cathedral, Belfast.
The Bishop of Connor outlined how the diocese proposed to help them engage with their communities, empower them in their ministry, and enable them to bring about change.
The Rt Rev Alan Abernethy said: “As a church we have been talking about decline for so long and how we are struggling to make sense of what is happening today.” For further information please contact:
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The launch of the Vision Strategy follows a survey of parishes in Connor Diocese during 2011 which produced a 93 per cent response rate. Plans for a vision strategy were announced at Diocesan Synod last October, and a working group has been meeting to drive the strategy forward.
Bishop Abernethy said that parishes had to work together to tackle problems. “In my parochial ministry I sat in a rector’s chair for a long time and I know how lonely and isolated it can be,” he said.
“This strategy is not aimed at making life more difficult, but at empowering, encouraging and enabling you in what you have to do and to help you do it together.”
He said parishes are now often disconnected from the local community. “We have to discover how we incarnate the presence of Christ in our parishes,” Bishop Abernethy said.
He outlined three themes to the strategy – engaging culture, empowering ministry and enabling change.
Relating to changing culture, the Bishop said the key point was ‘things aren’t the way they used to be,’ adding that the pace of change was ‘staggering.’
“People are looking for a connection with God and there is a real need for the church to engage with that culture so people see something they want to be part of. We cannot run away, as we have in the past, and hide in our spiritual sanctimonious bubble.”
Bishop Abernethy outlined ways of empowering clergy in their ministry. These included Quiet Days and a clergy conference later this year. He urged clergy to do things creatively in their parishes, adding: “Our parish structures cannot continue with a ministry that is carried out solely by clergy.”
Looking ahead, Bishop Abernethy said he would be addressing the subject of the Gospel and Culture today in his three Lent seminars. After Easter, he will visit every Rural Deanery to share this vision with all parishes and their select vestries and to engage them in addressing the issues facing our churches.
The diocese is looking at the possibility of employing a development officer to work with parishes and establish where they need help.
Bishop Abernethy said that following the rural deanery meetings the strategy will come before the next Diocesan Synod. “Let’s do this together and let’s enjoy the journey,” he said.
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Karen Bushby
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