Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
for all centres; (j) the need for a range of spaces for formation, learning and
development across the Connexion; (k) the importance of learning from current
strengths and good practice; (l) the importance of and demand for the work of
Cliff College, especially in the field of mission and evangelism, and especially in
the field of lay formation.
114.6 The Committee will therefore oversee work to investigate: (m) ways of enabling
Learning Churches and Circuits to develop as beacons of excellence in
formation, learning and development; (n) the feasibility and configuration of
two connexional centres which (i) are communities of faith with expertise
in formation, learning, training, theological education, scholarship and
organisational development; (ii) have at their heart the formation of disciples,
ministries and communities; (iii) are interconnected with Learning Churches
and Circuits; and (iv) share a common governance framework and staff team;
(o) the feasibility and configuration of other appropriate and effective spaces
for formation, learning and development across the Connexion, also overseen
within a common framework; (p) the feasibility of enabling much greater use
of virtual learning environments as virtual spaces for formation, learning and
development; (q) ways of capturing and learning from current strengths and
good practice; (r) the ways in which Cliff College can be best resourced and
developed in order to continue its work and take its place as one of the two
connexional centres.
Change and transition
114.7 The consultation submissions have helped the Committee: (a) to discern the
importance of a flexible yet stable overall framework, which is both responsive
to the needs of the Church as well as being capable of nurturing deep and
transforming experiences and communities; (b) to understand the pressures
and insecurities which a number of colleagues and institutions are facing at
this time; (c) to appreciate that the work of The Fruitful Field should not add
any more insecurity than is strictly necessary to these existing pressures; (d)
to discern that far-reaching changes, which will have a significant impact on
current arrangements and partnerships, are nevertheless necessary; (e) to
discern and appreciate the need for careful investigation of the implications of
the changes which the Committee will propose in this area.
114.8 The Committee will therefore oversee detailed work to investigate the
financial and infrastructural implications of the changes implied above, so
that transitional arrangements and timelines may be designed and clearly
communicated.
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