Agenda Volume 3 - Methodist Conference

57. The Fruitful Field Project
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safeguarding of children and
young people within the whole
Church community
the development and sustaining
of youth projects.
District Evangelism/ Mission Enablers
59 Meanwhile, a report from the Home
Mission Division to the 1993
Conference “urge[d] every District
to consider appointing a District
Evangelist/Mission Enabler/team
to encourage and assist churches
in their evangelistic task.” The
report suggested that “people, not
paper, are our best resource” and
encouraged every District to explore
making an appointment, “in order that
Local Churches may be motivated,
guided, trained and resourced in the
development and implementation of
their evangelistic strategy.”
60 Since 1993, many Districts have
invested in District Evangelist/
Mission Enablers and have been able
to supplement their own funds with
connexional grants from the Mission
in Britain Fund. During 2010/2011
there were 17 District Evangelist/
Mission Enablers working in 15
Districts. Of these 17 individuals, 12
are presbyters, many of whom are
also serving in a part-time Circuit
appointment.
Training and Development Officers
61 In 1996, District Youth Officers were
replaced by Training and Development
Officers (TDOs) – a move made
in response both to the changing
needs of the Church, and to the
development by local authorities
of their own youth provision. The
Division of Education and Youth’s
report to the 1996 Conference
envisaged that:
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all Local Churches and Circuits
should have access to a team
of TDOs who will cooperate with
and utilise ecumenical links and
theological resource centres
the officers should enable the
whole people of God to become
more effective in mission and
ministry, particularly among
young people
the officers should encourage
the Local Church to develop as a
learning community.
62 By 2000 every mainland District
had access to a half-time TDO, who
were all members of the Connexional
Team, and were supported by a
number of other Connexional Team
staff in a variety of implementation
and coordination roles. Each TDO
had a Strategic Management
Committee with a membership
that included representation from
the District and a member of the
Connexional Team.
District Development Enablers,
Training Officers and Regional
Training Networks
63 The Team Focus report from the Joint
Secretaries Group to the 2007 Conference
assessed the role of TDOs
664 Conference Agenda 2012