The Diocese of Exeter’s vision to grow in prayer, make new disciples and serve the people of Devon with joy has evolved over the last five years, with a widespread post-pandemic listening consultation leading to the development of the ‘Next Steps’ strategy to support mission communities to flourish and be sustainable for generations to come. It’s a vision that fits with Jesus’ commission in Mt.28.16-20, which is authoritative for me and I’m sure for many.
Putting flesh on the bones of the vision, I would like to articulate five particular priorities for this next season of our life together. First, missional leadership: equipping and resourcing the ordained and lay leaders of our Christian communities as best as we can to develop disciples and make new disciples. Second, developing a “missional DNA” across our Christian communities, encouraging outward-looking, invitational churches, hospitable to outsiders and engaged with their wider communities. Third, cultivating an intentional vocational culture so that we are not asking whether God is calling me/us, but “To what is God calling me/us now?” Fourth, children and young people being placed at the heart of our life, mission and ministry. And fifth, a mixed ecology: understanding that we need different ways of doing and being Church. Alongside time-honoured Church we need all sorts of Christian communities which can engage with the 95% of our population who are as yet unengaged. I hope that these five priorities will become embedded at every level of our ministry going foward.
The Rt. Rev’d Dr Mike Harrison, Bishop of Exeter
Unpacking the Five Priorities in more detail:
Missional Leadership
We are in a new missional era where the previous assumptions of people versed in the Christian faith cannot be assumed and where church-going is far from the norm. Not only so, but culture is fast-changing and understanding the different sectors of society, their aspirations, longings and wounds seems ever more complex. In such a situation our Christian leaders need support and resourcing, if they are to be effective in mission and in leading the people of God. This priority addresses this whole area, with a focus on providing excellent continuing ministerial development and training opportunities for clergy and LLMs, including a new leadership development programme for all clergy. We will be looking to support clergy and lay leaders utilising the latest thinking and research.
Missional DNA
In a context which can be aggressively secular, there is every possibility of Christian communities becoming insular and inward-looking and this priority looks to encourage Churches to be outward-looking, invitational and engaged with their wider communities. This also recognises the importance for mission communities of developing inspiring and realistic Mission Action Plans. Utilising research such as Anecdote to Evidence and Evidence to Action, as well as courses such as ‘Leading your Church into Growth’ and Pioneering Parishes? this priority looks to equip Christian communities to be missional in their worship, outreach and communications.
Vocations
This includes establishing an intentional vocational culture, lay or ordained, through: expanding the number of leadership pathways (i.e. Exeter Ordination Pathway), developing the variety of vocational pathways through the new Commissioned Roles and expanded Foundations course, as well as partnering with other organisations, including CMS, the Bible Reading Fellowship and our theological colleges to offer specialist training, for example Anna Chaplaincy. We are also partnering with South West Youth Ministries to offer vocational training to young people, and exploring how to best offer vocational development opportunities to school leaders through our Education team.
Children and Young People
Children and young people placed at the heart of our life together is what this priority is about. 75-85% of people come to faith before the age of 18, so reaching children and young people with the Gospel is vital. We are already developing children and youth workers in our churches (staff and volunteers) through the Catalyst course, the Launchpad course, commissioned roles and the Growing Faith Strategic Leaders Programme. Substantial funding for children and youthwork provision across the diocese is a key part of our Church of England Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) bid.
Mixed Ecology
Time-honoured Church is wonderful for part of our population, but experience-to-date shows that to reach the unreached parts of our wider community we need to provide different ways of doing and being Church. Our mustard seed grants aim to help fresh expressions of church get off the ground. The 95% as yet unengaged by the Christian faith are the focus of the mixed ecology priority. We want to expand our number of church plants and pioneer new worshipping communities, which connect with people not served by conventional church. Our Mission Shed days and online webinars are also showcasing different ways of being and doing church.
