Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
other documents produced by the
Committee during 2011/2012,
provides the Conference with a
comprehensive picture of the issues
at stake, a careful exploration
of the ways forward, as well
as the Committee’s developed
recommendations.
46 However the Committee is clear that
the decisions of the Conference –
whatever they may be – will mark
the beginning, and not the end, of
a period of change. The need to
nurture and enable reflection and
collaboration, as well as ambitious
and prophetic vision, does not end
with the presentation of this report.
The Committee is grateful for the
care, imagination and patience which
so many – not least those most
affected by its work – have shown
over recent months, and its prayer
is that good will and mutual trust
will continue to be a mark of our
discussions.
47 The Committee has been very aware
of being supported by the prayers of
a large number of people across the
Connexion as it has undertaken its
work over recent months, and wishes
to record its thanks for the support
and sustenance which has been so
generously offered by so many. The
Committee has sought to underpin
all of its work in worship and prayer,
and the Committee’s members
wish to assure all those across the
Connexion who work so diligently in
the fields of formation, learning and
development of their prayers as we
take our next steps forward together
in the direction which the Conference
will determine.
Section D: Our Current Provision
48 This section describes the current
provision which the Conference
supports in the fields of formation,
learning, training, theological
education, scholarship, research
and development. It does so by
describing current pathways – those
opportunities, programmes and
resources which are made available
to a wide range of students, learners
and researchers. It then describes
the expert staff posts and the
institutions, colleges and centres
which design, deliver and support
these pathways. Finally, it describes
the expenditure and the funding
streams which make up the budget
for this provision.
Pathways: Opportunities, programmes and
resources
Pathways for student ministers
49 Diaconal and presbyteral candidates
accepted by the Conference follow
either two-year or three-year pathways
as student ministers. Pathways are
currently offered at ten institutions,
though only three of these are
normally able to offer the full-time
pathway. Every effort is made to
structure each student minister’s
programme so that it is appropriate
for individual learning needs and for
personal circumstances. However, it
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