The diocesan mission strategy listening team will issue its initial report in early April and invites the diocesan community's response.
Four open forums have been scheduled in April at locations around the diocese, at which the team will present its initial findings and invite further conversation. Online and phone response options will also be available during the two-week response period, April 10-23. [Find the schedule and more information at www.diomass.org/new-mission-strategy.]
"As many of you know, our diocese is in the process of creating a new mission strategy. We on
the listening team are very excited to see the number and diversity of people who were able to engage during January and February in the listening process that will inform the crafting of our diocese’s plan for the future,” the listening team said in a March 11 letter to clergy and diocesan and parish leaders.
The team reported that more than 750 people from 120 congregations participated in seven open listening sessions and 12 focus groups held in January and February. The team also received more than 325 responses to online and phone surveys.
"Through this process, the members of our diocese expressed great enthusiasm for the work of serving God and our neighbors. You also named honestly the current characteristics of our church and culture that create barriers to our engaging most effectively in our ministries," the team said in its letter.
The team is now analyzing transcripts and survey responses to identify themes, which it will share in its initial report in April. The initial report will be posted at www.diomass.og/new-mission-strategy.
"We will report to you the concerns and hopes that were mentioned frequently and with passion in the listening process," the team said. "We want to communicate clearly in a reasonable length, so we won't be able to mention every specific issue that has been raised. We hope this initial report will reveal places of convergence in our views."
After the public response period in April, the team will make any necessary revisions to the initial report. It will then hand off its revised report to the working group that will actually draft the new mission strategy. That group, soon to be named, will comprise approximately 14 people, half appointed by the Diocesan Council and half appointed by Bishop Alan M. Gates.
The diocesan community will have an opportunity to give feedback on a draft version before the mission strategy is proposed to the Diocesan Council in September. It will be presented in final form for approval at Diocesan Convention in November.
--Tracy J. Sukraw
Related:
Many voices heard as mission strategy listening process continues