Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
which can exist between institutions, and the complications which the Church
faces as it relates to institutions which are differently configured and controlled.
We acknowledged the opportunities and challenges which we face, and
believed that our desire to respond with vigour to the hope set before us made
the identification or establishment of more than one hub counter-intuitive.
The reflections contained in the interim
response to the consultation
114 In February 2012, the Committee
published an interim response to the
consultation. The document began
by summarising the key reflections
drawn by the Ministries Committee
from the consultation submissions.
It did so as follows:
Pathways: Opportunities, programmes and resources
114.1 The consultation submissions have helped the Ministries Committee to discern
the importance of pathways, opportunities, programmes and resources which:
(a) have at their heart a commitment to the formation of transformed and
transforming disciples, ministries and communities; (b) are drawn from a deep
understanding of the missiological and ecclesiological purpose of the Methodist
Church; (c) are focused on equipping God’s people to be Christ-like disciples
in the world; (d) are focused on equipping those called to a wide range of
ministries within the Church; (e) support change, growth and organisational
development within and across Circuits and Local Churches; (f) encourage
widespread participation by being accessible, contextual, responsive, wellcommunicated
and excellent; (g) are developed through interactive relationships
and dialogue with local communities – their diverse and continually developing
contexts, needs and aspirations; (h) are coherent and comprehensive,
incorporating the breadth and diversity of Methodism; (i) can be experienced
and delivered through a range of methods and in diverse contexts, including
within and across Circuits and Local Churches, and in virtual learning
environments; (j) enable practice-based formation for a significant number of
student ministers preparing for ordained ministry; (k) emphasise ongoing (as
well as initial) formation within a wide range of ministries; (l) nurture apt and
excellent scholarship and research, in partnership with the Higher Education
sector; (m) can be developed alongside and shared with ecumenical partners
wherever possible; (n) are authorised in an appropriate manner.
114.2 The Committee will therefore: (o) oversee work to identify and develop the
principles and values of such pathways; (p) oversee work to identify and develop
Conference Agenda 2012 687