Strategic Vision

The basis for this priority is the repeated call for leadership—strong leaders—lay and clergy.  The call is expressed many ways including the need for innovative clergy recruitment, the need for more diverse clergy, the need to nurture and continue to equip present clergy, the need for more clergy presence at many of the churches, the need to encourage and support youth leaders, the need to identify young people in our churches who might be called to ordained ministry, the need to equip and empower the laity via training and sharing of resources, etc.  Strong leaders are vital to the health of the Diocese.  Only with strong leaders in place and provided with ongoing support, can we all pursue and fulfill the priorities identified by the Vision Committee as articulated by the members of the Diocese. 

Potential effects upon existing diocesan structures and current organizations:

• Parishes and Missions – strengthen local formation and discernment of baptismal gifts and talents for lay persons at the local level.  On occasion, recommend to the Bishop and Commission on Ministry persons to be considered for discernment for ordination
• Commission on Ministry/DYVE – in identifying and encouraging persons for discernment who might be called to ordained ministry
• Diocesan Staff – in providing programs such as Fresh Start, Clergy Conference, New Vestry Members training, Diocesan Leadership Conferences and education and training programs as may be helpful in developing leaders
• Diocesan Youth Council – in providing opportunities and training to promote youth leadership initiatives
• Clericus/Clergy Conference – fostering relationships, offering opportunities for continuing education and training, promote awareness of mental/physical health benefits through Church Pension Group
• CREDO – encourage participation to take advantage of this program
• Clergy Chaplain/Ecumenical Officer – check in with and provide support to clergy
• Clergy Spouses Group – to provide sustenance and support for clergy family members, to foster community-building among the group and to promote clergy family health and stability