Making the connection with General Convention

by the Right Reverend Thomas Clarke Ely, Bishop of Vermont
Mountain Echo, February 2003

Dear partners in ministry:

The ministry of sharing in the governance of the church is part of the “job description” for every member of the church (see page 855 in the Book of Common Prayer). This ministry can take many forms: local committees, parish annual meetings, vestry, diocesan committees, deanery or Diocesan Convention delegate, national church committees, or General Convention deputy, to name some of the most obvious.

Sometimes it all seems very cumbersome, and sometimes the connections between all these bodies of governance are lost on us, especially when we aren’t able to make the connection “back home,” as it were. For many Episcopalians, the connection that often seems most difficult to make is the one between the local congregation and our national church General Convention.

The next General Convention will be in Minneapolis from July 29 through August 8, 2003. Members of the Vermont deputation, elected by our Diocesan Convention, have begun to meet together in preparation. A list of our deputation and how to contact us is included on Page C and on our diocesan Web page (www.diocese ofvermont.org).

Between General Conventions, which meet every three years, there is a good amount of ministry carried out through the work of national church committees and commissions, as well as the national church Executive Council. Several people from Vermont serve on some of these bodies. My assignment is as one of three bishops on the national church Standing Commission for Small Congregations.

As part of the preparation for General Convention, standing commissions prepare written reports and resolutions for inclusion in the “Blue Book,” which forms the basis for the work and action of General Convention. The Standing Commission for Small Congregations has just finished writing its report, and I thought I would share a portion of that with you. I do so because I think it makes a valuable contribution to the work we are about in small congregations in Vermont and because I think what is being affirmed is applicable to larger congregations as well. The portion of the report I’m sharing with you here is called, “Characteristics of a Vital Small Church in the Episcopal Tradition.” It is part of a larger offering entitled Expanding Mission and Vitality in Small Congregations: A framework for affirming and strengthening the ministry of Small Churches. I hope it will generate some discussion at vestry meetings and coffee hours in many of our Vermont congregations.

Faithfully in conversation and governance with you,
+ Thomas

Characteristics of a Vital Small Church in the Episcopal Tradition
(From the 2003 report of the Standing Commission for Small Congregations)

• The Eucharist and other sacraments are available as needed and desired no matter the size, location, or wealth of the congregation.

• Worship is participatory, mediates a sense of God’s presence and helps transform people for baptismal living.

• There is full local engagement in determining strategies for mission and ministry in partnership with the Bishop.

• Members understand and support mission direction and priorities.

• Members are open to possibilities and willing to embrace new opportunities for mission.

• Members engage in broad-based, collaborative decision making, in which issues and agenda are discerned by the community, which takes ownership of the decisions.

• There is collegiality and collaboration between local leaders—who provide sustainability, continuity and local wisdom—and leaders from beyond the local community—who provide additional knowledge, experience and expertise in ministry development.

• Members display a clear capacity to do the hard work of reconciliation with one another, keep faith with one another and speak the truth in love.

• The ministry priorities of pastoral care, liturgy and administration are well provided by leaders local to the community.

• The congregation is organized for ministry and mission as is appropriate to its circumstances.

• Members participate in on-going engagement with the Gospel through theological education and reflection; prayer and worship; and the nurturing of each person’s gifts as a minister.

• Effective support of the ministry of all members in daily life is ongoing.

• The unique perspective and contribution of every member is valued.

• Were a vital congregation to disappear from its community, it would truly be missed by others in that community, even those who had never been its members.

Links to previous Mountain Echo Letters