Stepping out toward a new horizon

There is a mountain fortress called Masada near the Dead Sea in Israel, on the eastern edge of the Judean Desert. The mountain’s steep cliffs and extensive plateau were fortified by Herod the Great around the time Jesus was born in Bethlehem. Three narrow and twisting paths led up to reinforced gates, and inside the tall wall (reinforced with towers), there were storehouses, cisterns, and an armory—as well as a palace and barracks. 

The fortress was ideally suited to fending off an attack and surviving a siege—for a time, at least. The Hebrew defenders of the fortress fell to the Romans in 73AD, and it remained unoccupied until some time in the 6th century when a group of Christian monks lived there and built a small chapel. Today, Masada is the most popular tourist attraction in Israel, where history and legend combine to offer a narrative of Jewish pride and resilience.  

One of the most compelling features of Masada is an unparalleled view of the Dead Sea and the border mountains of Jordan, which extend up to the north beyond the ancient city of Jericho. You can see the landscape where Moses and his people concluded their 40-year long journey through the wilderness before entering the promised land. In contrast to the bunker-like feel of the fortified plateau, the vista is alluring and awakens a sense of perspective and hope.

The people and clergy of our diocesan church have joined me in a three-year long journey of honestly assessing where we are at and of carefully and collaboratively discerning what God is calling us to do. In 2020, the Shape of Parish Ministry Consultation (SPMC) was initiated, and during 2021 we heard that our parishes are challenged by volunteer fatigue, property and administrative responsibilities, finances, aging congregations, and evangelism. We also heard that our parish clergy and lay leaders are inspired to work together more, reach more people, enrich their discipleship, clarify and support shared lay and clergy leadership, and to change in order to grow and serve. 

In 2022, we crafted three SPMC Proposals which were resoundingly approved by Synod last October. Since then, we have focused on operationalizing the Eleven Actions called for in those proposals. At this October’s Synod, we will see how each one of the Eleven Actions has been addressed, and how they combine together to bring about tangible changes to how we operate and support our parish ministries—for long-term sustainability and so they can thrive.

Here is a synopsis of the results we hope to see as we make the changes called for a year ago: 1) there will be less reliance on parish revenues to fund the operating budget of our diocese; 2) diocesan staff will provide increased assistance and support to parish leaders as they manage parish finances, properties, stewardship, communications, human resources, and administration; 3) our bishop will provide guidance to parishes facing major changes, and will promote and enable innovation and collaboration; 4) parish leaders will receive more training and learning opportunities, and there will be a clear understanding of how parishes operate; 5) a Learning Commons and a Program for Parish Advancement will provide resources, knowledge, and practical instruction on all essential aspects of parish ministry; 6) we will learn how to practice contextual mission as we engage with the world and establish new worshipping communities. Through these ongoing efforts we will be well-positioned to guide change and thrive rather than be changed by external factors.

We have been surrounded by structures and ways of being that have served us for many years, and it may be hard to imagine making the changes needed for these results to come about. However, like the people of Moses, we know our future lies in moving toward a different kind of future, with a different perspective on who we are and what we need to do to thrive. We need to gaze out across the alluring vista God is calling us into, confident that we have worked faithfully together, and to the best of our ability, to discern what we must do to be God’s church in our diocese at this time. I believe there is every reason for hope.