On Church in Mission:
Inviting, Transforming, Reconciling
Tent Meeting, August 20, 2005
Morning Address - Afternoon Address
Vision Path
One Church
- A new model of Episcopal visitations - As chief apostle of the diocese, Bishop Gray will be using, beginning in 2006, extended visitations in a single area, i.e. Gulf Coast, Delta, etc. that will allow in-depth conversations, teaching opportunities and pastoral oversight not afforded in current visitation practice.
- Complete reorganization of diocesan structure to reflect mission priorities in Vision Path.
In Mission
- Three new church starts in the next three years - Focus and areas of concentration shall include: a. the Mississippi Gulf Coast; b. a new congregation with a specific focus on young adults; c. a separate and self organized congregation with a mission to the Hispanic community.
- Bishop's Youth Mission Corps - A Benedictine based experience for a limited group of young adults that will weave structured prayer, spiritual direction, work, play, study and training for mission into a six week experience at Gray Center. Participants must have completed a junior year in college and be no older than 26 at the beginning of the program.
- Annuity program for clergy in small congregations - To encourage vocations to serve small congregations, an annuity program shall be established that will encourage longer stays in smaller churches by reducing the negative impact on retirement benefits that currently exist in the Church Pension Fund.
Inviting
- A goal of an increase of 50% in the average Sunday attendance in the diocese by 2010 - A variety of "best practices," programs, resources, consultations will be made available to reach this goal.
- A commitment to diversity at Camp Bratton-Green with a goal of 25% participation of people of color by 2010.
Transforming
- The development at Gray Center of a Center for Formation and Mission Programs will be developed by a programming board. Leadership will include a Director of Formation who shall also be a resource to local congregations.
- A required inventory of each congregation to discover the opportunities for Transformation within each parish or mission.
- The development of expectations for instruction and formation prior to confirmation - the sharing of current "best practices" will accompany the higher expectations.
Reconciling
- A commitment by every congregation to a ministry to children beyond the local church.
- The development of an ecumenical network of advocacy - Congregations for Children shall be a joint effort of the Episcopal, Roman Catholic and United Methodist Churches in Mississippi and will be the church's voice in the political and legislative debates on matters affecting the most vulnerable children in the state.
- A goal of a 50% increase by 2010 in persons served beyond the local congregation. Participation in the Lutheran Episcopal Services of Mississippi is one way to increase this servanthood ministry.
- A commitment by Bishop Gray to the millennium goals of the United Nations -Endorsed by the entire Anglican Community as a united attack on world poverty, this commitment shall be 0.7% of the total budget of this diocese.
