Living Stones Partnership endorses Ministry Developers' Collaborative action initiatives

While devoting most of their time together to reflect on one another's baptismal ministry case studies, members also took time to review and endorse a proposal of the Ministry Developers' Collaborative for four action initiatives.

Living Stones, which began with eight dioceses from the United States and Canada in 1992, now includes more 21 Anglican and Episcopal dioceses, communities and seminaries committed to the revitalization of ministry at the local level.

A spin-off of Living Stones begun in 1999, the Collaborative's mission is "to open doors for growth and learning among those called to develop ministering congregations by building links among dioceses, seminaries, institutes, and programs."

Wyoming Bishop Bruce Caldwell spoke for the Collaborative, an initiative that arose from Open Space gatherings at previous meetings, when he asked the more than 100 people attending for a blessing on the plan.

"We want to encourage all Living Stones members to tell the stories of abundant mission that reflect the shared leadership, vitality and vision we find in our dioceses, congregations and communities," Caldwell said, explaining the first initiative, advocacy strategies to influence leadership circles from local to international.

The gathering also authorized a working group to draft a competency-based plan for certification of ministry developers and report back to the 2009 annual meeting of Living Stones.

"There are skills and a way of being that are different in ministry development than what some of us learned in our original formation for ministry," noted the Rev. Liz Magill, program manager for Congregational Education at Episcopal Divinity School (EDS) in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

"I'm very excited about this," said Donn Morgan, dean and president of the Church Divinity School of the Pacific (CDSP) in Berkeley, California. "When I think about some of our graduates, and all the other ministry developers in the field with whom we can work, there is just no reason for seminaries not to cooperate in this venture."

Bexley Hall and Seabury-Western Seminary, in addition to EDS and CDSP, have been a part of Collaborative conversations.

"Several theological colleges in Canada are beginning a process of review and assessment, to talk about how they can interface more effectively with the rest of the church," said Kootenay Bishop John Privett from the Anglican Church of Canada.

"In any event it's exciting from a Canadian perspective," said the Rev. Dan Hines, secretary of the Collaborative and a ministry developer in the Anglican Parishes of the Central Interior.  "Models for learning at a distance mean we can work together without borders."

Some members of Living Stones questioned the prominence of seminaries in the presentation of the proposals. Living Stones partner dioceses have extensive experience in local formation of baptismal ministry teams, and look to seminaries as a resource.

"We have been very careful not to let the seminaries run this ship," reassured the Rev. Margaret Babcock, canon for Ministry and Congregational Development in the Diocese of Wyoming, who chairs the Collaborative. "We have invited them to partner with us."

A third action goal states the need to find or create "cohorting" opportunities for ministry developers and ministry development teams. The Ministry Developers' Collaborative is looking for formats, venues, mentors and spiritual guides which can support lifelong learning and professional refreshment.

Recognizing the urgent need for an interactive web presence, as the fourth action item members authorized an advisory group to establish a portal for Living Stones, the Ministry Developers Collaborative, and related conversations and resources. Drawn from both networks' leadership, the group will work on policy, strategies and funding.