Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
and sustainable use of resources
which such proposal ensures (see
paragraphs 113.16-113.25 above).
However, the Committee also
noted carefully the concerns raised
about the consolidation into one
centre outlined in the consultation
document. A large number of these
concerns focused on the risk of
confusing connexionalism with
centralisation, as discussed in
paragraph 181 above. A connexional
committee’s submission noted
that “the centralisation proposed
(one single hub) is excessive. The
Methodist Church is a Connexion and,
as such, requires a focus on regional,
District and Circuit level that a single
stand-alone hub would not be able
to provide... Wesley never envisaged
creating just one educational base
– rather he adopted both a regional
approach (with libraries in Bristol,
Newcastle and London) and a
local approach (with the education
delivered within societies).” While
the Committee believes that the
deployment of regional teams, the
careful dispersal of work currently
undertaken within the Connexional
Team and the creative use of spaces
will alleviate some of these concerns,
the Committee judged that these
concerns about the use of only one
centre should be taken very seriously.
221 The Committee also noted the
importance of, and the demand for,
the work of Cliff College. This strong
affirmation of the work of Cliff College
was evident in the consultation
submissions, which demonstrated a
unique and advanced appreciation
within the Methodist Church of the
work of Cliff College – appreciation
found in consultation submissions
from individuals, Circuits, Districts
and other groupings. This affirmation
is also evident in the steady but
significant growth in self-funding
student numbers at Cliff College
over several years. It is also seen in
the stable, self-sustaining business
model, largely funded by fees from
self-supporting students, which Cliff
College has been able to develop.
222 The Committee’s analysis of Cliff
College also identified a number
of other aspects of Cliff College’s
life as a community of faith which
the Committee felt nurtured and
supported forms of formation,
learning, training, theological
education, scholarship, research and
development which are currently of
great benefit to the Methodist Church,
and which would be of great benefit
to the Discipleship and Ministries
Learning Network. In particular, the
Committee noted Cliff College’s
historic commitment to lay formation
and its mature understanding of the
importance of equipping the whole
people of God for discipleship and
mission. The Committee also noted
Cliff College’s historic and ongoing
commitment both to reflection on the
practice of mission and evangelism
in a changing culture, and to enabling
people to pioneer new forms of
church appropriate for the future.
The Committee also noted that
Cliff College sustains a range of
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