General Synod has received the Report of the Commission on Ministry. Canon Dr Maurice Elliott (Dromore) proposed the report noting that the Commission on Ministry is continuing to make energetic progress.

Canon Elliott highlighted a number of initiatives undertaken by the commission during the year. These included a combination of plenary meetings, specialised submissions, collaborative working groups and one residential at Glenstal Abbey. At its autumn meeting the commission sought to further its engagement with the religious life and rhythms of prayer. This has stimulated futher initiatives. For example, the commission has now re–branded the Mid–Career Ministry Course which is now to be known as the Mid–Career Vocation Programme for Clergy and will carry a new emphasis on the sustaining of vocation through disciplines of personal prayer and retreat.

The proposer said that the commission had been working in consultation with the House of Bishops and CITI on a process whereby a diocesan–based and locally effective Self–supporting Ministry might be developed.

The commission had also been working the the RCB on HR policies resulting in the Dignity Charter. The proposed pilot project for Ministerial Development Review is also underway and will be trialled in three dioceses.

The report was seconded by the Revd Ruth Nobel Jackson who spoke of the changes in ministry. She said that in their future planning, the commission was focusing on what they felt the Spirit was saying on them.

Discussion on the report included the following contributions:
• Self supporting ministry which was described as being in between non stipendiary ministry and locally ordained ministry. It was suggested that this diocesan ministry should be a wide and flexible one so that it could be applied in a number of ways at diocesan level.
• The absence of lay ministry in the report was noted and the commission was asked what it felt the role of the laity was in the Church today.
• The need for pioneer ministry was highlighted and work being done by the Bishop of Connor and the Bishop of Tuam was outlined.
• There needs to joining the dots between Commission on Ministry and Commission dealing with Episcopal Structures and Diocesan Boundaries.
• Caution was urged caution with new developments and a request to consider part time training.
• Questions were asked about the process for ordained training and the selection process. Why make the process harder than it has to be?
• How do we connect with people who are not members of any church.
• The Clinical Pastoral Education course for those who want to be hospital chaplains was highlighted as another form of lay ministry.
• The issues of transferring from non stipendiary to stipendiary ministry were raised along with an appeal to ensure that non stipendiary clergy were not excluded in considerations.
• The need for life long learning was discussed along with reviews of ministry.
• Fresh Expressions should be embraced but all hope should not be pinned to them.
• Ministries of all types must be educated and new models of ministry must be embraced to reach those who are not connected to church.
• Pioneer ministry must be supported financially and prayerfully.
• How to reach the people who assign themselves as Church of Ireland but don’t attend. A survey said they would reconnect if it was a worthwhile experience, welcoming and if it was relevant to their everyday lives. The challenge for the church is to mobilise and partner ecumenically to learn from them.

The report was adopted by Synod.

::synod15::