Since Diocesan Convention, team members of the Mission Strategy Network (MSN) have continued their hard work behind the scenes to help with implementation of the plan that was affirmed in 2007. An example is a December 13 meeting at St. Mark’s Cathedral that brought together a group that included MSN co-chairs Jim Huber and Daniel Pearson; consultant Craig Van Gelder; primary team leaders Mariann Budde, Doug Maust, Rex McKee, and Beth Royalty; associate project manager Mariellen Jacobson; Web specialist Kevin Bullock; and diocesan liaison Karen Olson.

The ongoing work of implementation of the four Mission Strategy goals and their communication to the diocese held high priority at the meeting. It will come as no surprise that much of this work will come about throughout a system of new and existing networks, with the goal of providing the opportunity for all who are interested to join in this vital work for our diocese.

Sharing ideas, news, and stories

Various team members hope to travel to various locations throughout our diocese during the first three months of 2009. Consultant Coordinator Anne Miner-Pearson is working with regional deans to help organize these gatherings. Their purpose will be to renew the congregational/regional conversations which were begun at the beginning of the Bishop’s Commission on Mission Strategy (BCMS) project. Members representing the four goals of the BCMS report want to share their work and to listen to others’ input and information around the goals. While all Episcopalians will be encouraged to attend these meetings, people who serve in particular congregational ministries will be specifically invited.

Anne Miner-Pearson has also been instrumental in asking each congregation in the diocese to identify a specific contact person for mission strategy work. Information will flow both ways through this new Contact Person Network (CPN), and members will have the opportunity to share stories from their congregations through a blog on the Mission Strategy website.

The system of regular communications will continue, but with some changes, as the “network” continues to live up to its name. Kevin Bullock continues his tireless work on the Mission Strategy website (missionstrategymn.org), which includes blogs, forums, and other groups; in addition to updates on MSN work, congregational stories, and related documents. However, the bulk of the congregational stories will now be provided by the CPN through their postings, enabling all to share their experiences, and — it is hoped — to provide support and inspiration to each other.

In addition to updates such as this one, major MSN articles will turn to in-depth exploration of the four mission strategy goals. For the first four months of 2009, consultant Susan Barksdale will prepare one “front-page” article a month — spotlighting each one of the goals — on the Mission Strategy page: Goal 1 in January, Goal 3 in February, Goal 2 in March, and Goal 4 in April. These articles will include input from the team leaders for each goal, with additional material from the CPN, when available and appropriate.

Reports and plans from the teams

Another focus of the December meeting was on the progress of implementation of the goals themselves. Team leaders reported on the work they have done or are doing, and made recommendations to further this work.

• Goal 1: Spiritual Transformation and Fuller Participation in God’s Mission

This team reported on the number of congregations engaged in Gospel-Based Discipleship, including the impact it has had on them and how they go about their mission and ministry; the efforts underway to offer gifts discernment in various settings; and the networking of trained spiritual directors who can offer their ministry to congregations, and how this can benefit individuals and churches. The team has also recommended ways to go forward with gifts discernment.

• Goal 2: Renew Congregations in Context

This team has been working with clergy with all congregations to identify strengths and weaknesses in serving their communities. Congregations in various “geographies” have offered to provide leadership in the key areas of faith formation for children, helping junior high and high school kids grow up in the church and form a community, developing programs that use the energy of young adults to better their community and world, and welcoming the support that comes from adults with young families. The team wants to help congregations learn to identify their own unique context and ministries and to find ways to incorporate Gospel-Based Discipleship with youth programs and in other areas where it hasn’t been used before. In addition it eventually wants to help provide and/or develop leadership in adult faith formation.

• Goal 3: Recreate the Diocese as a Network

It seems that this goal, like that of spiritual transformation, permeates most or all of the mission strategy work! This team has been hard at work naming and mapping of all networks that point to the hubs that are there; making recommendations on a structure that supports the above — a network or collection of congregations, working as one in mission and ministry — as well as changes to the episcopacy to support it; providing education, training, and healing of laity and clergy to live into this structure (a “theology of change”); and devising ways in which the networks will communicate with each other.

• Goal 4: Develop Effective Stewardship of Financial Resources

This team has gathered information from region meetings on the Apportionment for the Common Good (ACG), including levels, formulas, and theological underpinnings. It will work with the Trustees of the Diocese and explore real estate issues and related matters. The team may eventually recommend specific canon changes concerning financial issues, and how these might be affected by our national canons. It would also like to help develop a Stewardship Network, a group that could do training in congregations.

Future MSN gatherings and related events

The MSN coordinators continue to meet at least once a month, either in person or by phone. The next full MSN meeting is scheduled for March 14. Stacy Abena is also coordinating a January 10 meeting regarding diocesan structure that will include former members of governance groups (Diocesan Council, Trustees, Standing Committee, etc.).

An additional event, although not MSN-sponsored, will provide more food for thought. Phyllis Tickle, author of The Great Emergence: How Christianity is Changing and Why, is coming to Minnesota for a special program and lecture on May 6. All are welcome. Watch for information on the diocesan website (www.episcopalmn.org) or in the Weekly News.