Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
In a fast-changing world there is
a need to find ways of promoting,
resourcing and enabling continuing
development for existing Local
Preachers and Worship Leaders.
110 Finally, consultations highlight
concerns about perceptions. For
many people across the Connexion,
Faith & Worship is no longer an
attractive and energising proposition.
However, there are also some who
are positive about Faith & Worship,
and suspicious of “alternative routes”
and changes that they perceive as a
“dumbing down” of the formation and
training of preachers. An urgent and
comprehensive solution is required,
and the report returns to this matter
specifically in paragraphs 132-147.
111 This case study demonstrates
an area of particular need. More
generally, it also demonstrates the
need to dedicate greater resources
to support strategically important
but historically under-supported
ministries within the life of the
Connexion. However, it also begins
to indicate some of the benefits
which may accrue for the Methodist
people if it is possible to weave
together the resources and the
skills which successful formation
and training require. By coordinating
and networking these resources and
skills, and by prioritising collaboration
and openness in their ongoing use,
it is possible to see energy for
formation and training being shared
widely and generously within and
across the lives of Circuits and Local
Churches. These motifs are explored
further in section G below.
Section F: Steps towards a Way Forward
112 Section C has already outlined the
processes which the Committee
adopted during the current
connexional year. A central
component of the committee’s
work was the production of two key
public documents, one of which
shared a vision of the future and
invited comments from all interested
parties, and the second of which
offered a response to the comments
shared with the Committee about
its vision. The full versions of the
documents remain available at
www.methodist.org.uk/fruitfulfield.
This section contains extracts from
these two documents, thereby
formally placing these elements of
the Committee’s work before the
Conference.
The vision outlined in the consultation
document
113 The consultation document
published in October 2011
concluded by outlining the
Ministries Committee’s vision for
the future of the Church’s priorities,
commitments and resources in the
fields of formation, learning, training,
theological education, scholarship,
research and development. It did so
as follows:
680 Conference Agenda 2012