Welcome to the journey
The 27 th Synod resolved to encourage the Uniting Church in Queensland to enter into a time of discernment. Specifically, it was resolved that the Synod
- Is ready to watch and see what God is doing.
- Is ready to yield its will and to seek the will of God.
- Encourages congregations, presbyteries and agencies to enter into a time of discernment as to how God would have them enter into the new ministries God is calling them to.
Over the past five months the Synod Leadership Team has been working with facilitator Sr Margaret Endicott and secretary/theological resource person Rev Allan Thompson to develop a process to enable the Uniting Church in Queensland to undertake a journey of discernment together.
The journey we have called Together on the Way, enriching community provides an exciting opportunity to draw on the wisdom and inspiration of as many people as possible who share in the life of our Church in Queensland.
On 29-30 January 2010, an initial workshop was held for leaders from each presbytery, key synod and agency staff and chairpersons.
As a follow-on from that workshop, there will be a series of workshops conducted across Queensland that will provide opportunity for people in the church and its agencies to engage in the discernment process.
The resources on this website are offered to assist those who will be involved in conducting or participating in those workshops.
No matter how you share in our life I urge you to join this adventure and allow God to lead us through you.
I am sure that together if we are open to the Word of God, we will be renewed and energised by God's Spirit.
Bruce Johnson
The Uniting Church in Australia
Queensland Synod Moderator
What is this project about?
Paragraph 18 of the Basis of Union states:
THE PEOPLE OF GOD ON THE WAY
The Uniting Church affirms that she belongs to the People of God on the way to the promised end. She prays God that, through the gift of the Spirit, he will constantly correct that which is erroneous in her life, will bring her into deeper unity with other Churches, and will use her worship and service to his eternal glory through Jesus Christ the Lord.
In the past two years there has been the emergence of many factors (spiritual, governance and financial) that have led to a determination to invite the people of the Uniting Church in Queensland to be involved in a process to look more deeply at the essence and future of the church.
At a Presbyteries/Council workshop in May 2009, five key areas were considered – Spiritual/theological, Missional, Demographic, Organisational and Financial.
Following that workshop the Synod Leadership Team resolved that there was need to further this work through a longer and more extensive process involving as many members of the Church as possible. This process would lead to:
Discerning a shared direction for the next 10 years of the Uniting Church in Queensland which enriches community, local, state, national and global. The process will revitalise the Church, provide an optimistic view of where the Church is heading and enable people to identify with and participate in bringing about the shared direction.
Who will be involved?
Ultimately, members of the Uniting Church in Queensland and employees within the Church and services will be involved and be part of the future direction of the Church.
The process will be overseen by a Steering Committee consisting of:
Mr Robert Packer, Ms Anne Cross, Rev David Baker, Douglas Jones, Rev Bruce Johnson. Rev Allan Thompson is undertaking the documentation of the work and Sr Margaret Endicott will facilitate the process.
This is not a one-off event but will take place during 2010 and 2011, hopefully completed by the Synod gathering in October 2011. During this time people will gather in many forms and times to reflect upon the present reality, the purpose and values of the Church, the directions for the next ten years, the form and structure necessary for the directions to be achieved. The process will also use the Biblical and Uniting Church traditions.
This is a spiritual journey bringing together the m ultiple gifts needed in discerning the future.
What will be achieved?
An enriched and enriching community which has:
A clear statement of purpose and values
An articulated Strategic Vision and Directions for the next 10 years
Viable, sustainable governance and management structures
and overall, people who have participated and are committed to the future of the Church with elders and leaders “leading congregations into a fuller participation in Christ’s mission in the world”. (para 15(b))
Facilitator
Sr Margaret Endicott is a Sister of Mercy living in Brisbane. In her early work life she had roles as school teacher and Principal, parish worker and adult faith educator, in Inala, Gatton, Cunnamulla, Bundaberg and Browns Plains.
Since 1991 Marg has been working as facilitator and trainer in organisational and leadership development with community based agencies, church and religious congregations.
In more recent years Margaret has also worked with the Christian Brothers of Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea and Sisters of Mercy across Australia and Papua New Guinea, in a consultancy capacity in relation to future direction setting and the structures needed to support these new directions.
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