District Review - Boundaries.
              

In the District Review Document of February 2006, it was suggested that one area of our structures that needed to be worked on in order to shape the Church for it’s Mission and Ministry in the twenty-first century was our Circuits. At that point some fairly provisional possibilities were spelt out, and in some parts of the District some work has begun. I want to begin by encouraging those who are at work to continue.

I have been encouraged both to reflect carefully about the motivation for such change and to give some clearer direction to the path forward. (I have set this out in different degrees with the Superintendents meeting and now in a meeting with the Circuit Stewards and what I now set out seeks to bring these conversations together and to offer a steer for a path forward. I continue to believe that such journeys are undertaken collaboratively and with care, and it is in that light that I write.

I think that I have heard arguments for change coming from the decline lobby of the church, and the shortage lobby.

What I want to do is to help the church shape itself for effective mission and ministry today and tomorrow. Making larger Circuits will, hopefully, help in a number of ways:
              ·   We will be able to shape leadership teams in each circuit that will include people with experience

                  and wisdom, as well as those who have energy and new ideas.
              ·   We will be able to make sure in collaborative teams that our pastoral ministry both to church           

                  members and communities is carried forward with strength and proper care.
              ·   We will be better fitted to offer appropriate training and development for ministry, which always

                  belongs to the whole people of God, lay and ordained. This will fit styles that are tried and tested in

                  our church in local preacher training and training for children and youth work, where courses are

                  developed in the Connexion and in partnership with other denominations, and monitored there but

                  delivered locally, with growing support from Regional resources. This is my hope for the new ways

                  we will work at ‘Extending Discipleship Exploring Vocation’, (if I have the title right) developing

                  pastoral ministry, and …. You can add to the list.
             ·    We will, while holding to a pattern of pastoral oversight, which ensures proper care, encouragement

                  and challenge to all who belong, also looks out to the communities in which God has set us for real

                  encounter there, so that once again we will be accused of being ‘Methodists’ or even ‘Christians’, not

                  only because of our well organised patterns of inspirational worship, opportunities to learn and pray

                  together pastoral care, but because of our engagement with the society, in schools, hospitals,

                  prisons; among migrant workers, refugees and asylum seekers; at the places of work and recreation,

                  in the political heart of our world. Working in these places, with others, for justice and peace and

                  well-being for all.
              ·   We will not only give attention to structure and systems that enable us to be such a people, but we

                  will attend to the gifted nature of the people we are and seek to use those gifts well, so developing

                  networks of interest and expertise that can be used on a wider map for the good of all

Looking at the geography of the District I want to ask people to look at these possibilities. I will try to work from west to east.

1.       All of our working in Herefordshire in one circuit. This is being worked at and I believe could be in place  

          by the beginning of September 2008.
2.       In Worcestershire, possibly two Circuits,
                   · West Worcestershire
                   · Bromsgrove and Redditch.
           There are two genuine questions to be explored. Should our work in Worcestershire be one Circuit?

           Should Evesham be part of this too? I believe that this reshaping should be worked at for Sept 2008, 2009

           at the latest.
3.        Conversations, which will need to be open and gentle, between Tamworth and Lichfield, West Bromwich,

           Blackheath and Halesowen may lead to some new vision of delivering “Circuitness”, or three Circuits

           whose future may lie outside the present re-mapping. 2010!
4.        A single Birmingham Circuit incorporating all the work we at present mark at Birmingham( ) plus our

           Central Mission. 2009/10
5.        South Warwickshire - bringing together Kineton, Leamington and Stratford. (See in suggestions re

           Worcestershire questions about Evesham. 2009.
6.        Coventry, Nuneaton and Atherstone. 2008/9.

It would be good if as we make this journey we had in mind to talk to our ecumenical partners. I believe that these changes can help to equip us for an exciting future as we seek to continue to be the people of God. I want to recognise that this may not be the way you will view the picture, and I am open to invitation to talk about it with anyone. I would particularly value meeting with Circuit leadership teams. I know that the process of change will not be without pain and cost both to individuals and circuits and churches, and I will do my best to walk with you in the journey.

Bill Anderson.

Chair of Birmingham District of the Methodist Chruch.

Comments on this paper should be passed to your local Church or Circuit leaders but can be sent to the Distrcit Enquiries email address at enquiries@bhammeth.org.uk