Delivered before the 2009 Diocesan Convention by Jim Huber.

Thank you, Bishop,

It is my privilege as MSN co-chair to be here today. Before I say any more, however, please let me introduce my co-chair, the Reverend Daniel Pearson, interim rector at St. Martin’s, Minnetonka Beach, and thank you, Daniel, for your vision, theological understanding and partnership these past two years. On a personal note, I want to thank you, Bishop, and all of you for the privilege of serving as chair of the BCMS for 2 years and as co-chair these past two years with the MSN. I have had wonderful times of spiritual growth and have grown a deeper understanding of the congregations and their people in this Diocese. It is time for me, however, to encourage new leadership. I also want to acknowledge and thank the four task force chairs:

Goal One: Spiritual Transformation,The Rev. Mariann Budde, St John The Baptist, Minneapolis Goal Two: Renew Congregations in the Context, Mr. Doug Maust, Nativity, Burnsville Goal Three: Recreate the Diocese as a Network, The Rev. Rex McKee, St. Mary’s, St. Paul Goal Four: Develop Effective Stewardship of Financial Resources, The Rev. Beth Royalty, St. Clement’s, St. Paul.

Next I want to introduce The Rev. Dr. Anne Miner-Pearson, the MSN coordinating consultant extraordinaire. Anne has been working on coordinating and inspiring the MSN for the past eighteen months. I am personally grateful to her for her steady and spirit-led work in moving us forward. Under Anne’s leadership the Contact Person Network was formed, helping to keep congregations connected with the MSN and providing a two way communication process. Sixty-six congregations are a part of that network. Would those Contact Network persons past and present please stand. Please remain standing, while I ask any of the rest of you who have work with the BCMS or MSN please stand. Let’s give them a round of applause!

Today is not the culmination of 4.3 years work, but rather the beginning of mission strategy for the Diocese of Minnesota. There have been a number of results from the MSN task forces this past year. A full report of the extensive work of goal one, Spiritual Transformation, will be posted on the website after Convention. This fall, the MSN met with all nine regions regarding Resolution One, The Mission Strategy Network Convention Resolution as found on page 40 of your covention booklet. This resolution is designed to move mission forward in 2010 in partnership with the Diocesan Council and with the leadership of the IX Bishop of Minnesota.

Some of you have asked for more information regarding the Alleluia Fund as resolved in Goal 4 (page 41 of your Convention booklet). The concept of the Alleluia Fund was established at the 73rd General Convention of the Episcopal Church meeting in Denver. MSN included this concept as a means of moving mission forward in Minnesota. It is monies a congregation could voluntarily raise during the fifty days of Easter to further mission within the congregation or within the Diocese. More information regarding the Alleluia Fund concept will be included on the website following Convention.

The Rev. Dr. Craig Van Gelder, professor at Luther Seminary and church growth expert, has served up to June of this year, as the consultant to the BCMS and the MSN. He clearly stated, and we from the MSN leadership believe, that if we do not move forward through this resolution, in ten years we will look back and realize our opportunities lost. It is in that spirit, Right Rev. Sir that with the support of the MSN, I move this resolution:

(MSN resolution available here.)