collaborative ministry
Ministering together for the sake of God's kingdom...
Collaborative ministry is not just about how we work together,
but about how we relate and how we live as Christians
- as "signs and agents" of the kingdom of God.
As Archbishop Barry summarised it in a vision for the diocese,
we are called to
develop the ministry and discipleship of all God's people throughout the Diocese so that, transformed ourselves,
we might play our part in transforming God's world
Diocesan Vision Statement 2004
There are many ways in which lay and ordained people are doing this across the diocese.
Some are "signs and agents" of God's kingdom simply and naturally through who they are and what they do, day by day, as disciples.
Others are exercising ministry on behalf of the church by working together in parishes across the diocese - informally, and, more formally, in teams.
Some parish teams exercise specialist ministries such as Visiting and Befriending, Welcome, Baptism Preparation and Follow-Up, Community Action.
Others teams are exercising shared leadership under the guidance of PCCs, to encourage and coordinate ministry in the parish or to lead the implemenation of their parish MAP. Others take responsibility together for the ministry locally in their particular church as well as working with others as part of a bigger parish.
These pages offer reading, stories, approaches to encourage you to:
GET INVOLVED... MAKE A DIFFERENCE... BETTER TOGETHER
New materials are being added all the time so please keep checking!
For help, advice or to make suggestions, please contact Caroline Pascoe, Ministry Development Officer on 01656 868859.
Read about Archbishop Barry's vision for local collaborative ministry in the diocese.
Read about why collaborative ministry is important in an influential Roman Catholic Report on Collaborative Ministry, The Sign We Give.