Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
evangelists, thus making concrete
the Methodist commitment to the
ministry of the whole people of God.”
Ministry development
120 The second core purpose of the
Network is to support ministry
development, in all its forms, across
the Connexion: forming and equipping
lay and ordained Methodists who
share in the ministry of God within
the life of the Methodist Church to
be effective leaders, servants and
partners in God’s mission. “For as in
one body we have many members,
and not all the members have the
same function, so we, who are many,
are one body in Christ, and individually
we are members one of another.
We have gifts that differ according
to the grace given to us: prophecy,
in proportion to faith; ministry, in
ministering; the teacher, in teaching;
the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver,
in generosity; the leader, in diligence;
the compassionate, in cheerfulness.” 15
121 Submissions received during the
consultation period noted the need
to support the development of those
exercising a wide range of ministries
and roles within, and reaching beyond,
the life of the Church. These ministries
and roles include those of deacons,
presbyters, those preparing for
ordained ministry, and those holding
office as Superintendents and District
Chairs. As a tutor’s submission noted,
“if initial theological education of
student ministers does its job properly,
it will equip [ordained ministers] as
a theological resource for the whole
people of God: they become those
who can, as part of their role, enable
the formation of disciples of Jesus
Christ.”
122 However, submissions received during
the consultation period also noted
other ministries and roles which
must, with equal care and dedication,
be supported by the Network. Among
the ministries and roles identified
were those of Local Preachers;
Worship Leaders; Circuit and Church
Stewards; children, youth and family
workers; chaplains, evangelists
and outreach workers; lay pastoral
ministers and leaders; small group
leaders; class leaders and pastoral
visitors; administrators; Circuit and
District Treasurers; safeguarding
officers; and those who are members
of Circuit and District leadership
teams. The consultation submissions
also emphasised the importance
of support for those who undertake
these ministries and roles as
volunteers, as well as those who are
salaried or supported by stipends.
Church and community development
123 The third core purpose of the
Network is to support church and
community development across the
Connexion: challenging and equipping
Circuits and Local Churches as they
change and grow as mission-focused
15
Romans 12:4-8
Conference Agenda 2012 691