Anglican Diocese of Wellington, New Zealand. As a Christian faith community we worship, we witness, we teach, we serve, we care.

Anglican Diocese of Wellington

As a Christian faith community
we worship, we witness, we teach, we serve, we care.

Home > Witness & Proclamation > Bishop of Wellington > Bishop's Writings

Bishop's Letter - May 2009

Forming the Future

300 minds energized, 300 hearts touched, 300 souls inspired...

The Diocesan Visioning Weekend just past was timely, far-reaching and hope-making as more than 300 people gathered to dream about the future and where we will place the emphasis as we carry out the mission of the church.

Bishop Victoria Matthews, speaking at the start of the weekend, provided the catalyst motivating us by the telling of stories what is good mission and good theology. Then for a whole day we were exposed to a new way of relating to each other – a new way of sharing ideas and hopes called ‘Open Space Technology’. Put simply if someone wished to discuss a topic then they announced that at the start of the day and people then had the choice of groups to attend. All up 70 topics came to the fore, and if people found they wished to move onto another group at any time during the day they were encouraged to use their two feet!

Every hour we were reminded of our sense of community in faith when a bell was rung and we fell silent in prayer for two minutes – a special time to reflect and seek guidance.

On Sunday a smaller group of about 35 met with the two consultants, Bob Cavanagh and Bernie White, to distill 100 pages of ideas for action first down to ten pages and then to five. A challenge which was achieved, and as a result what we have ended up with is a statement of vision:

To be a vibrant, spiritual and co-ordinated faith community

that reaches out and transforms the world

To make that a reality we have five aims and each of those come with three how-to’s. So you can see how we have a plan evolving – and all this will go out to the Regional Meetings for reflection, sharing and refinement.

In terms of being agents who are contributing towards Forming the Future, we are on the way!

But what of the huge bank of ideas and would-be projects that were so enthusiastically discussed on Saturday if they don’t get a mention in the final plan?

Just because a topic might not be named that doesn’t mean it is forgotten. In many cases the idea wasn’t necessarily new but rather called for more time and energy being devoted to it.

I sense that has already begun to happen in some cases, but also people can start a new idea with others as of now, or find support if it is required to start planning to advance the idea.

As we take the ‘plan’ to the next stage we are keen for you to know that all the contributions are valued and it is our hope that those who came and took part will continue to be involved – we need your prayers, your enthusiasm and your commitment.

There is much to do but it is exciting to think we are making a contribution to the direction the Diocese will take over the next five years.

+Tom

Bishop of Wellington