In early 2014, the Church Council agreed to plan a ‘Vision Day’. A small group began to work towards this. There was consultation with the staff and key officers to hear their views on the work they do and the strengths and weaknesses of the Church. A presentation was then made to the Annual Church Meeting. After that meeting, for what may be many reasons, some people felt unclear as to the purpose and remit of the presentation. For some, this lack of clarity may have been anxiety about change happening at all; for others, anxiety that change wouldn’t happen fast enough. This anxiety was only increased by my leaving for just over three months sabbatical. I was quite deliberately stepping back from any new ventures. The Stewards requested any thoughts arising from the presentation over the summer; they received a limited number of comments.

In the light of the Annual Church Meeting, it seems clear to me and the Stewards that the Church Council needs to review the composition of the ‘Vision’ group. The aim would be to make it more representative, establish a clear remit, agree a process for consultation and set a time-scale for reporting. I want to stress, that both the Stewards and I support a vision process.

Hand in hand with this, must go another structural change, without which, I believe any vision process will struggle. It became apparent to me on sabbatical that my pattern of working has to change – drastically. This is for the good of both the Church and my welfare. As a result of my ‘appraisal’ with the Chair of District which took place immediately after my sabbatical, I am reviewing my work pattern, including analysing hours and work content. Mark Downer, who is my lay representative on this ‘appraisal’ has agreed to help me – I am grateful to him.

An early outcome of this analysis has revealed that any request to develop an aspect of the Church e.g. mission, worship, learning, comes across the desk of both the Stewards and me. The Stewards’ agenda becomes swamped and reactive. There is no adequate structure in place for the wider Church to assess what may be a number of good ideas and select which ones to prioritise and develop – and what we must drop to achieve this. (I am very conscious that it was not just me who was experiencing ‘Church burnout’ back in the Spring.)

I propose to bring to the next Church Council a new way of structuring church life. I believe this will

enable the Minister to be more consultative

allow the Stewards to be less overworked and more focussed

give everyone a chance to engage in the key areas of our Church

None of this precludes a ‘Vision Day’, but rather, provides a platform for its fruit to be dealt with effectively. Everything is of course, subject to the Church Council’s decision and I am not trying to pre-empt this. Rather, I hope this offers a road map for managed change that will help us all to feel we are working together.

Please do commit all these thoughts to your prayers.