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Diocese of The Bahamas
Diocese 2000 and Beyond
An Inter-Diocese Partners-In Mission
INTRODUCTION
Over the years, a weakening of the
resource base of the Diocese has led to a deterioration of physical assets, a lessening of
the Central Authority’s ability to give assistance and support to its parishes and,
most importantly, the rate of expansion of the Anglican community has not been
particularly robust.
In order to arrest and reverse this
process by the year 2000, it would be necessary to increase the resources of the central
administration of the Diocese; to strengthen and enlarge the Anglican Church’s
spiritual and administrative capabilities to enable it to provide meaningful support and
guidance to Anglicans and to the wider Bahamian community.
In addition to the above, the Diocese
along with other dioceses of the Anglican Communion, is proposing ways and means of
improving the participation of its members in ministry and mission, to effectively and
intentionally move the church into the new century. It is desirable that a holistic and
integrated approach be taken, affording Anglicans opportunities for meaningful involvement
in the life of the church and enabling the central administration of the diocese to
acquire and develop relevant and efficacious forms of ministry.
In pursuance of these objectives, the
Central Administration invites members of our Diocesan Family to adopt the
"Partners-in-Mission" concept that has been utilized in the worldwide Anglican
Communion over the last 40 years. This concept is based on the model of the Church as the
Body of Christ (see 1 Corinthians 12:14-26). It stresses the mutual
dependence and interconnectedness of all members of the Body.
Each province in the Anglican Communion
holds Partners-in-Mission consultations in which representatives of other provinces meet
with provincial delegates to discuss the mission and ministry in the province and to
identify areas and mechanisms for mutual support.
The Central Administration invites each
confirmed member of the Diocese of Nassau and the Bahamas to become a Partner in this
program which has as its overall objective, the provision of essential resources for the
diocese to become more self sufficient in its efforts at enabling and equipping its
members for mission and ministry.
THE FIVE YEAR DEVELOPMENT PLAN
The proposed program, "Diocese
2000 and Beyond" has four closely related components:
Renewed Vision
Seven (7) Basic and Essential Ministries
Diocesan Requirements for effective Ministry
Financial Plan
1. RENEWED VISION
A church, rooted and grounded in God,
renewed and invigorated, growing in faith and increasing inn number; a church united in
its ambition to draw out a living faith in the young as well as others and to involve lay
persons fully in its mission and to demonstrate responsibility and accountability at every
level; a church eager to join other churches in maintaining and deepening the Christian
heritage which is at the heart of our nation’s traditions, culture and morality.
In pursuance of this Vision, the
Bishop-in-Council has requested each parish in the Diocese to integrate the seven (7)
basic and essential ministries in the operations of the church at the level of the local
parish. In addition, the Central Administration has committed itself to maintaining a
renewed focus on ongoing training and development (inclusive of leadership training) for
the ordained and the non-ordained members of the church.
A genuine adoption of this vision, at
every level of church life, is central to the success of the proposed program.
2.THE SEVEN BASIC AND ESSENTIAL MINISTRIES
The Bishop has already presented the
following ministries to the Clergy Conference and the Synod:
I.Christian Formation
Worship, Proclamation (homiletics), Music,
Drama and Dance, Sacramental Nurture, Prayer and Devotion (spiritually), Prayer
Groups/Cell Groups, Renewal Programs, Retreats and Quiet Days, Spiritual Counseling,
Sacrament of Penance/Reconciliation.
II. Pastoral Care and Counseling
Visitation Groups, counseling Teams,
Training for Visitors, Training for Counsellors, Preparing for Baptism, Preparing for
Marriage,, Family Counseling, Crisis Counseling, Lapsed Members, New Members.
III. Christian Education
Sunday Schools, Confirmation Instruction
and Preparation, Adult Education, Training of Teachers, Producing Curricula, Study Groups,
Training of Group Leaders, Workshops and Seminars on Biblical Interpretation and related
issues, Production and Dissemination of Literature and Tapes, Competitions
(inter-parochial - deanery or archdeaconry), Newcomers to the Faith.
IV. Evangelism
Response to Decade of Evangelism, Outreach
to Outsiders, Leadership Development and Training, Identify and Implement Strategies,
Workshops and Seminars, Development of Teams, Radio and Television, production of Relevant
Literature, Prayer/Support Groups, Outreach to Men.
V. Youth
Development of Youth Vision, Design
Appropriate Structure, Leadership Training and Development, Youth Encounters, Music,
Education Formation, Networking, Seminars/Workshops, Anglican Identity, Sports
Competition.
VI. Outreach -
Responding to Human Need
Conduct Needs Assessment Survey, Seek Ways
of Consciousness Raising within Congregation, Highlight Particular Needs from Time to
Time, Develop Outreach Teams, Arrange Seminars and Workshops.
VII. Communications
Audio and Visual tapes to support ministry
at every level. Brochures, Booklets and Books, Effective Use of Radio and Television,
Trained Personnel to lead our Communications Efforts, a revitalized "Voice of the
Church", a Communications Centre.
We strongly urge that these seven
ministries provide the basis for participation in mission and ministry in this diocese. In
addition, the ‘ongoing’ nature of our involvement in these ministries will be
greatly assisted by the formation of committees, at parish level, to deal with each of the
seven areas of ministry. If a committee for each area foes not fit the parish situation, a
reduced number of committees should be formed using the most practical combinations
possible.
At diocesan level, the focus will be
placed upon the provision of leadership training in each of the seven areas, coupled with
suggestions for programmatic initiatives. In addition, coordination and resource building
will be offered from the Central Administration.
At the parish, level focus should be
placed on the identification of persons to be trained to provide the necessary leadership
at parish level in seven areas. The committees mentioned above world facilitate the
development of the seven areas of ministry and provide opportunities for involvement on an
ongoing basis.
3.DIOCESAN REQUIREMENTS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE MINISTRY
The Central Administration is anxious and determined to
give concrete and effective expression to these seven ministries. The program,
‘Diocese 2000 and Beyond’ seeks, as a matter of urgency, to enable the Diocese
to embark upon the following:
- The funding of Specialized Ministries
- The erection of suitable physical structures
- The creation of a Diocesan Endowment Fund
- Specialized Ministries
In our church structure, the primary focus
of ministry is the local parish community. However, the central Administration is best
placed to offer facilities and opportunities for coordination, networking and maximization
of resources in:
Training for ministry
Provision of programs
Designing of projects
Provision of implementation aids
Identifying mechanisms for evaluation and follow-up
When one considers the scattered nature of
or diocesan family, it should be obvious that the entire Anglican community would be best
served by an effective, intentionally coordinated approach to ministry.
Particular attention will be paid to the
provision of appropriate training and the selection of suitable persons for leadership ad
other levels of training to equip more members of the church for effective ministry.
(B)The Erection of Suitable Physical Structures
There is general agreement in
the Diocese that there is urgent need for the following:
- At least one Day Care Facility for Senior Citizens
- A Diocesan Centre
- A more adequate Rehabilitation Centre
- A modern Diocesan Office
- Day Care Centre for Senior Citizens
There is an urgent need, especially in New
Providence and Grand Bahama, to offer day care services for senior citizens. In many
instances elderly persons are left alone while other members of the household are at work
or school. We believe that the church can respond by training persons to engage in this
ministry ad providing basic facilities in existing parish halls or auditoriums.
- Diocesan Centre
The Central Administration presently
seeking to acquire a ten Acre tract in New Providence as a site for the proposed centre.
It is envisaged that the centre will be used as a focal point for training in the various
ministries. It will also host retreats, quiet days, various encounter meetings,
conferences and a host of events related to Christian Formation and leadership training.
Basic provisions will include meeting rooms, dining room, chapel and sleeping
accommodations. The centre will be available for use by all church organizations.
- Rehabilitation Centre
It is generally agreed that the facilities
at the present William Granger Centre are grossly inadequate. It is also agreed that the
ministry offered to the inmates should be continued and upgraded. In view of the obvious
need to respond to the ongoing need for rehabilitation of persons recovering from
substance abuse, we propose to relocate the William Granger Centre and expand the program.
- Modern Diocesan Office
Most persons who are familiar with the
present Diocesan Office agree that the building should be demolished because it is in such
a state of disrepair. There is also general agreement that the construction of a new
building is to be preferred to a massive renovation of the existing buildings.
It is also intended to restructure the
Central Administration by strengthening its management capability (both in terms of
staffing and equipment) and putting in place modern information systems for monitoring,
communicating and directing all agencies and sub-agencies which fall within the ambit of
the central administration.
- Creation of Diocesan
Endowment Fund
At present the central administration is
virtually totally dependent upon the contributions from the parishes by way of the
parochial assessment levied annually by Synod. There are no reserves to enable the Diocese
to respond to emergencies and to provide a buffer when some of the parishes do not pay
their assessments.
In fact, the latter situation has contributed
significantly to the present deficit in diocesan Finances. There is therefore an urgent
need to rebuild the Central administration’s resource by creating a strong endowment
fund. Such a fund will place the Central Administration in a stronger financial position
and remove the need, in the foreseeable future, for additional appeals.
4. THE FINANCIAL PLAN
It is hoped that a significant number of
Anglicans will find it possible to invest in the advancement of Christ’s kingdom in
this part of his vineyard. If we are interested in the spiritual development of the people
of God in our area, we must be prepared to support such efforts with our "earthly
treasures". The proposals of this program do not require sacrificial giving on the
part of the majority of our member, but they do require voluntary financial contributions
from members who have the interest and the concern to promote church development.
In order to accomplish the objectives of
‘Diocese 2000 and Beyond’, there is a need to raise approximately $10 million
over a five-year period. The following projections have been made:
1. Specialized Ministries $1,000,000
2. Physical Structures $3,000,000
Diocesan Endowment Fund $6,000,000
General Diocesan {$5,000,000}
Education {$1,000,000}
TOTAL
$10,000,000
MECHANICS OF PLAN
1. (a) Each confirmed Anglican, with
income, will be invited to register as a partner with the Diocese in the fund-raising
drive to fund the objectives of the program. Each partner will pay a registration fee of
$20 to cover the cost of servicing the program over the five-year period, January 1, 1997
– December 31, 2001.
- Each parish will be requested to encourage members to sign
the attached registration form.
- Each partner will pledge to contribute $25 per month over
the five-year period. The card indicates the options for payment. Wherever possible,
persons should be encouraged to choose a method of payment that does not require a
sacrificial offering.
- Envelopes will be provided on request.
- Registration should be made during November and December
1998 so that contributions may begin in 1999. Use should be made of commitment Sunday to
elicit support for the program.
- Each parish should appoint a committee to promote and
operate the program at parish level and to ensure that contributions are submitted to the
Central administration on a monthly basis.
- A diocesan committee will be appointed to manage the
program on behalf of Diocesan Council. It is envisaged that a full-time coordinator will
be appointed at diocesan level. The diocesan committee will also be responsible for the
production of suitable promotional materials, e.g. posters, flyers and appropriate forms
of advertisement.
The Archbishop's Message
‘Diocese 2000 and
Beyond’ provides a vision for the future of the church in this diocese that will
facilitate growth and development at the level of the local church and at the level of the
central administration. Together, as genuine partners-in-mission, we can achieve our
objective to provide essential resources for the church in this diocese to become more
self-sufficient in its efforts at enabling and equipping its members for mission and
ministry.
I warmly commend this program to the Diocese at large.
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His Grace, The Most Rev'd Drexel W. Gomez
Lord Archbishop, Metropolitan and Primate
of the Church of the West Indies
and
Bishop of the Diocese Of Nassau & The Bahamas
(Including the Turks & Caicos Islands)
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