Five initial tasks

While facilitating viable and effective liturgical and pastoral ministries, the Project Priest and Project Team in the initial stages of the project should also work on the following tasks.

1. Coming to terms with history

One essential task is to retell and celebrate the congregation's history, to recognise that a chapter is "coming to a close," and to deal with the feelings that are being generated by the changes.

How well the congregation deals with its history will determine how well it will move into and deal with its future. Coming to terms with our history means reviewing it, learning from it, and deciding on those elements of it that we want to retain as part of our present and future. A well-thought-out, deliberate approach can help a congregation deal with the healing of hurts, with unfinished business, and with missed opportunities from previous days. The central focus is not merely on what happened in the past. The purpose of coming to terms with history is to deal with history so as not be to be bogged down by it, but rather to be freed by it to move on into the future.

2. Discovering a new identity

From time to time the self-image or identity of a congregation becomes outdated. This early stage of the project is a time when the congregation needs to begin to discover a new identity: Who are we now that our rector has gone? The congregation needs to gain a conscious understanding of how it now views itself.

During this early time it's appropriate to look inward. It's an important time to do a self-study that will provide a realistic appraisal of the congregation's life and outreach, including its strengths and weaknesses. The study can reveal a great deal about the attitudes that the congregation has about its mission and witness. This study and other efforts can result in the re-shaping of the congregation's self-image.

3. Examining decision making and leadership

Moving into this project is a very significant change for the Parish. Processes of decision making and leadership will be in flux. This is all normal and usually healthy. The task is to facilitate shifts of power or leadership without losing momentum in the life of the congregation and without alienating or disenfranchising persons who have been involved in leadership in the past.

When shifts of power occur, there may be a variety of conflicts. In fact, some conflicts are actually attempts to balance power or to change the balance of power. In addition to conflicts, shifts in power may show up as attempts by individuals to gain specific leadership roles. Consequently, the congregation needs to deal with the overall issues of leadership.

Each parish has its own way of making decisions. They way decisions are made relate to a parishes leadership and also by its size and history. It's important to grow in understanding of how decisions are made in your parish.

4. Re-thinking denominational linkage

This is an important time for the congregation to become reacquainted with the heritage, mission, and services of our Diocesan Network. It is a time for the congregation to re-think and re-affirm its connectedness with the denomination. This will usually result in increased appreciation for our Anglican heritage, a better understanding of the workings of the denomination and increased understanding of the world mission of the Anglican Church.

5. Commitments to a new future