Seeking the Future: A Dance of Discernment and Discovery

DISCERNING OUR EPISCOPAL MINISTRY DIOCESAN CONVENTION AN OPPORTUNITY

Over the past 20 years we, as a diocese, have pioneered the development of mutual ministry and the Gifts Discovery Process. Visitors continue to come from far and near to explore with us the invitation and challenge of being a community of sisters and brothers who draw life, abundant life, from the waters of baptism. The discovery process recognizes that the gifts we search for are always already present – because we live, move and have our being in God. The creative opportunity for us, as a diocese, is to begin draw upon this process to discern Episcopal ministry. Through liturgies, speakers, and table groups, Diocesan Convention provided us with an opportunity to begin discussing together who we are, what we value, and what Episcopal ministry could look like in Northern Michigan. The fruits of these conversations will help the Standing Committee and Core Team shape a discovery process that speaks to who we are as a diocese.

THE BAPTISMAL COVENANT

The baptismal covenant asks us to respect the dignity of every human being. There is inherent worth, woven through with marvelous gifts, in each and every one of us. As a community of Christ, we are asked to recognize, call forth and nurture these gifts. As the gifts unfold they embody the invitation of God to follow, creating new and unimaginable paths of ministry and mission. The dream of the reign of God is reality because it is rooted in the gifts actually given to us all.

GIFTS DISCOVERY

Gifts discovery lies at the heart of mutual ministry. The diocese has developed and drawn upon our Gifts Discovery Process to help congregations identify ministries, clarify the gifts associated with the ministries, and call forth individuals to carry out these ministries. Over and again, we have used this process and now enjoy vibrant communities of faith that not only know how to set a table in the wilderness; we are learning how to thrive there and set tables where all are welcome. Who could have foreseen such a future 20 years ago when we accepted the Spirit’s invitation to live into our giftedness? Together, because of our trust in God and one another, we have collaborated in the discovery of diaconal, priestly and apostolic ministries within our congregations. With each new generation of covenant groups, our knowledge and wisdom deepen. We seek to maintain the hearts and minds of beginners – always open to what else we might learn.

DISCERNING OUR EPISCOPAL MINISTRY?

What might it look like if we were to adapt the Gifts Discovery Process, to help us, as a diocese, discern the future shape of Episcopal ministry? What might we learn about ourselves and the role and expectations we have of a bishop? Where might the Spirit lead us over the next 20 years? To discern means we try to understand clearly with our minds. To discern means we to try to listen compassionately with our hearts. To discern means we try to receive fully with our bodies. To discern means we work collaboratively – Wisdom resides in the body of Christ. To discern also means to discover through consensus – hearts, minds and bodies at rest with a common vision. Consensus relies upon the community’s trust that God is indeed present in the exploration and conversation. Consensus is not so much a decision, as a realization, an "aha" – "yes, this is the way to go." Consensus reflects the awareness that everyone involved "can live with the outcome." Our Discovery Process is a discernment process – we work together, understanding, listening and receiving. There are precise steps. Representatives of the community are gathered together. This group, called a discovery team, begins by becoming aware of the gifts and blindnesses they embody individually and as a group. The discovery team describes clearly the ministry and the particular gifts associated with that ministry. Finally, the discovery team proceeds, through consensus, to discern those persons with the gifts for the ministry. Such a process continues to serve our congregations very well, and would seem to hold gracious promise for the discernment of Episcopal ministry.

CONVENTION – WHAT COULD EPISCOPAL MINISTRY LOOK LIKE?

Diocesan Convention was a time for us to begin the discovery process of discerning who we are, what we value, and what that means for Episcopal leadership in our diocese. The fruit of these initial conversations will help the Standing Committee continue to shape a discovery process truly reflective of our common life in the waters of baptism.

Adapted from article by Kevin G. Thew Forrester (Church in Hiawathaland Oct. 2007)