We recognise:

• the New Testament principle that we all share in the ministering of God's love in our communities [Eph. 4:11-12]
• that we, as part of the Canterbury Diocese, "should be a learning people, committed to understanding our faith and equipped to minister" [Growing Forward Together]
• that "without vision the people perish" [Prov. 29:18] and without leadership there is no shared vision
• the struggle to match income and expenditure (of which stipendiary ministry costs are the major part) distracts us from our mission
• "[the] aim that...every deanery will have a clear Mission Plan...spelling out...the structures they need, including ministers and clusters, both geographical and by tradition." [Growing Forward Together]

Patterns of ministry

• Collaborative ministry is a hallmark of all our congregations
• Every centre of worship has its own dedicated focal minister other than for interregna and other temporary arrangements
• The Deanery Synod has decided whether or not the existing parish-benefice-deanery structure should change (e.g. to clusters, to a minister-model, to a team ministry in each urban centre)

Enabling ministry

• All are swiftly able to minister according to their calling, and receive appropriate training and support [note 1]
• Those in leadership positions have sufficient administrative support so they can minister effectively and develop relationships
• The costs of stipendiary ministers are sustainable by current Deanery income and expected to remain so

Patterns of ministry

Collaborative ministry as a hallmark

• Starting immediately the Area Dean in his/her contact with incumbents regularly reviews progress and arranges for additional support where required to achieve this. The Assistant Area Dean does this in the Area Dean's benefice
• Starting immediately, the Area Dean ensures that new incumbents are committed to ministering collaboratively; and incumbents do likewise when (re)appointing focal ministers

Leadership at each place of worship

• Incumbents continue to identify and foster vocations to all levels of ministry, periodically highlighting to their congregations their common responsibility for this as the people of God
• Following decisions on sustaining stipendiary ministry (see below) by the end of 2006, the Pastoral Committee proposes to Deanery Synod for decision the minimum number of each type of non-stipendiary minister needed across parochial and extra-parochial ministries, and a plan for reassignment and/or training for completion by the end of 2008

Structures within the deanery

• Research, discussion and consultation on the desirability for change is led by the Pastoral Committee using the following questions initially [note 2]
  • What forms of partnership between parishes ('minsters', 'clusters' etc) will make us more effective?
  • What forms of partnership between parishes and sector ministries will make us more effective?
  • What structures will best support workplace ministry?
  • What pattern of deanery meetings (synod, chapter etc) will best support our work together?

Enabling people to enter new authorised ministries swiftly

• The Deanery Synod
  • at its February 2005 meeting asks the Bishop of Dover to arrange the review all diocesan selection processes, included setting and implementing a maximum time limit for each step, completing this review by the end of 2006
  • monitors progress though its Pastoral Committee

Supporting those in ministry

• Starting immediately, training opportunities in parishes are shared across the deanery through incumbents
  • discussing proposals in Chapter so that other parishes can share in the planning
  • ensuring that all the communication links in the Deanery are used e.g. at Synod, through the Deanery Newsletter
• The Deanery Synod
  • at its February 2005 meeting asks the Bishop of Dover to ensure by the end of 2006 ministerial review for those with Permission to Officiate who share in parochial leadership (if they so wish) [note 3]
  • monitors progress though its Pastoral Committee
• The Archdeacon and Area Dean in their visits encourage benefice officers and PCCs to provide sufficient administrative support for those in leadership positions

Sustaining stipendiary ministry costs

• By the end of June 2005, the Pastoral Committee proposes to the Deanery Synod for decision the number of stipendiary ministers [note 4] affordable at the end of 2008 until 2013. [See also the strategy 'Children and Young People']
• By the end of December 2005, the Pastoral Committee proposes to the Deanery Synod for decision
  • the distribution of stipendiary ministry posts up to the affordable number at the end of 2008 across parochial and extra-parochial ministries, taking into account the growing responsibilities of the Area Dean [note 5]
  • a plan for implementation by the end of 2008

Sharing Ministry endnotes

1. cf. Mission-Shaped Church, Chapter 8 Recommendations, 'Leadership and Training'
2. Questions from Deanery Mission Plans
3. Reviewing those with more intinerant ministries is considered unnecessary and impractical, as they do not have significant involvement with any particular church, not a close colleague to conduct a review
4. This term is used deliberately rather than 'clergy' to enable the employment of other ministers as required
5. If the Area Dean is to have an increasing role in supporting, encouraging and evaluating progress in parishes across the deanery, then his/her responsibilities as an incumbent/minister and/or the people-resources available to the Area Dean must be adjusted accordingly

SPIRITUALITY

Where are we now?

• The Deanery Spirituality Network, endorsed by the Deanery Synod, exists to provide opportunities for spiritual reflection and growth for parishes and across the Deanery through
  • facilitating exploration in and development of Spirituality both corporately and individually
  • making available fresh opportunities and co-ordinate existing events such as Retreats, Quiet Days, Weeks of Guided Prayer across the Deanery and beyond
  • providing parishes with resource material when required
• The Diocese provides resources in spirituality to support work in the Deanery through the Diocesan Adviser

Where do we want to be?

Specific· Measurable· Achievable· Realistic· Timed

• People are in a position where their spirituality is intrinsic to their life and their growth in faith
• People's spiritual journey is as exciting and fulfilling as it can possibly be by providing 'value added' experiences which cannot be achieved in single parishes
• People are using their knowledge and experience to spread the Kingdom, reflected in their lives and in growth in numbers

How are we going to get there?

(What actions are needed?)

• Be challenging, supportive and ready to respond to Spiritual need. The timescale is endless and the value immeasurable. We will do this through
  • ongoing contact with Chapter members enabling discussion about what parishes need, opportunities they might use and 'Good Practice' that could be helpful
  • providing opportunities of a flexible nature that are beyond the reach of individual parishes due to their size, and are more intimate and accessible than Diocesan events due to its size. The Deanery Spirituality Network responds to requests but aims to provide three events annually
  • where appropriate, referring an enquiry on (e.g.) to the Diocesan Spirituality Group, to a Spiritual Director
• The Deanery Spirituality Network reports annually to Synod at its second meeting of the year on this strategy with details of the events, numbers attending and participants' evaluation.

EDUCATION

Where are we now?

• A survey addressing the questions under "Mission - where are we now?" (here) is nearing completion
• A Deanery Education Group [EG] appointed by Synod in February 2004 for a five-year term

Where do we want to be?

Specific· Measurable· Achievable· Realistic· Timed

• We recognise the significance of schools and other centres of education
  • to promote "the social, moral, cultural, mental...development of pupils" [Education Act 1988] and "to develop positive attitudes and values" [National Curriculum Council 1989]
  • as centres of community around which others gather
  • as relevant places for acts of worship to which parents and other members of the community can come and regard as church
  • and in particular we affirm and support the twelve Church of England schools in the Deanery as being extremely significant in the Church's mission

As a result by the end of 2008

• taking into account existing links
  • every school has the Christian chaplaincy presence it desires
  • there are links between every participating school and Anglican & other participating churches so that churches are praying in an informed a way as possible for the school(s) they support
  • a substantial proportion of non-denominational schools have at least one known Christian serving on each governing body
• Synod has given its maximum effort towards establishing a church secondary school in the Deanery
• teaching and supporting roles as a vocation have a high profile in the Deanery and those involved in education feel valued in the Christian community

How are we going to get there?

(What actions are needed?)

Overall

• The EG asks to present the Deanery's strategy to the Churches Together bodies by the end of 2005, inviting their participation
• The EG researches and reports on the current situation to Synod and other participating churches by the end of 2005
  • Which ministers are linked to which schools?
  • Of the ministers that are linked, what extra resources if any will it take to meet the needs they and their schools have agreed?
  • What involvement do other Christian organisations have in local schools?
  • Of the school that are not linked, what are their chaplaincy needs?
  • Through churches, how many church members are governors of a local non-denominational school?
• The EG reports annually to Synod at the meeting after Education Sunday [Note 1] and annually to other participating churches on progress towards fulfilling the strategy by the end of 2008

Chaplaincy & prayer support

• Anglican and other participating churches, using the local churches together areas and any clusters in Folkestone [Note 2]
  • respond to requests for chaplaincy links by the end of 2008. Informal contact and a generous spirit address where opportunities exceed resources
  • establish networks for sharing information for prayer by the end of June 2006

Christian governors in non-denominational schools

• Through contact with focal and other participating ministers, the EG ensures the maximum use of the opportunities presented by Education Sunday, particularly encouraging service as a school governor.

High profile for vocations to teaching and other supporting roles

• Where not already on the annual calendar, incumbents propose the celebration of Education Sunday in their churches. Where appropriate through local churches together and any clusters in Folkestone [Note 3], PCCs and other participating churches co-operate to involve local schools in Education Sunday
• Where not already practised, incumbents propose in their churches regular inclusion in Sunday services prayers for those involved in education (in addition to praying for local schools as above)
• The Diocesan Education Department continues to organise an annual service in the Cathedral for anyone involved in education

Education endnotes

1. the first or second Sunday in February
2. see the Mission strategy
3. see the Mission strategy

CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE

Where are we now?

Children

• There are
  • a number of churches working mainly individually with particularly pre-school and Key Stage 2 (age 7-11) children
  • plenty of ideas but a shortage of adults to implement them

Young people

• Significant efforts by St John's, St George's, Cheriton Baptist Church, the Life Church, the Hythe & Saltwood Youth Project and What 4 to support young people in their faith and other life choices

Where do we want to be?

Specific· Measurable· Achievable· Realistic· Timed

We recognise

• The vastly smaller numbers of children and young people involved in churches in this century than in much of the last
• The breadth of lifestyle and activity options competing for their time and the reduced priority for today's parents for ensuring that children learn about Christianity
• The gulf between the language of traditional worship and that of young people
• The importance of relationships peer-to-peer and young person to trusted adult
• The relevance of the Christian faith in providing the meaning of life and the model for relationships
• The priority given by the Diocese to work with children and young people

As a result, by the end of 2008

• in Folkestone and Hythe/Saltwood, there are two weekly [Note 1] youth congregations and ancillary activities led by their peer groups, responsive to their participants' aspirations and supported by a Youth Minister for whom this will be the primary work [Note 2]. Churches in the Deanery and those of other denominations support the youth congregations through prayer, giving and, where this help is needed, transporting young people from their parish
• the number of children and young people involved in church-sponsored activities across the Deanery has increased threefold
• all children entering an Anglican church during a main Sunday morning service, drawing on support from across the Deanery, are offered an appropriate act of worship on site or close by [Note 3]
• all those involved in children's and youth work feel valued and supported, and are aware of best practice

How are we going to get there?

(What actions are needed?)

General

• The Deanery Synod in February 2005 establishes a Children's Group and a Young People's Group for a 3-year period
• The groups expand their memberships according to their needs to include adults, young people and possibly children
• The groups oversee implementation of this strategy and report on progress towards its fulfillment annually to Synod at its third meeting of the year
• PCCs and congregations live out the priority of work with children and young people in their sacrificial allocation of resources

Children

• By the end of June 2005, the Children's Group has studied relevant work across the Deanery including numbers involved
• By the end of June 2005 the Pastoral Committee in conjunction with local Churches Together ensures funding to appoint a Children's Work Co-ordinator by the end of 2008, if necessary reducing by 0·5 the number of stipendiary clergy working in traditional parish ministry. [Note 4] (See 'Sharing Ministry')
• Based on the plan for implementing sustainable stipendiary ministry (See 'Sharing Ministry'), the Children's Group progresses the appointment of the Children's Work Co-ordinator with Local Churches Together if appropriate. The Children's Work Co-ordinator
  • Stimulates and assists with new initiatives for children in small groups of churches [Note 5]
  • Spreads best practice and enthusiasm through both gatherings and practical action
  • Promotes the fulfilment of this strategy by speaking to churches, groups and individuals across the Deanery [Note 6]
• Following the appointment of the Children's Work Co-ordinator, the Group's Chairman acts as the first level of 'line manager'

Young people

• By the end of June 2005, the Young People's Group has studied relevant work across the Deanery including numbers involved
• By the end of June 2005 the Pastoral Committee in conjunction with local Churches Together ensures funding to appoint a Youth Minister for the youth congregation by the end of 2008, if necessary reducing the number of stipendiary clergy working in traditional parish ministry. (See 'Sharing ministry')
• Based on the plan for implementing sustainable stipendiary ministry (see 'Sharing ministry'), the Young People's Group progresses the appointment of the Youth Minister with local Churches Together and appropriate church authorities
• The Youth Minister establishes two weekly congregations and ancillary activities led by their peer groups responsive to their participants, one serving primarily Folkestone including Cheriton, the other primarily Hythe/Saltwood
• Following the appointment of the Youth Minister, the Group's Chairman acts as the first level of 'line manager'

Children & Young People endnotes

1. We will discuss what is the right interval for meetings - weekly, bi-weekly, monthly? Less frequently is less work for leaders but less opportunity to build relationships. When considering this, please bear in mind that this is the future objective, not the start-up pattern
2. This leaves open decisions about buildings - existing (which denomination?) or new (rented or purchased?) and the denomination of the Youth Minister
3. This could include other denominations with their agreement
4. The appointment will therefore be of a half-time Deanery Children's Work Co-ordinator or perhaps up to a full-time Churches Together Children's Work Co-ordinator subject to funding by other churches
5. Alternatives include working with individual churches or on activities for children from the whole deanery. Neither alternative seems appropriate. Supporting work in individual churches is impractical and the deanery is geographically unsuitable for centralised activities
6. There is clearly overlap with support provided by the Diocese but, if the deanery is to address the challenges described above in our area, a more concerted and continuous effort is required than the diocese staff can sustain.

ECUMENICAL MATTERS

A statement of principles and practice through the Mission Plan

Principles

• We see God's revelation through, and Spirit working in the other churches of the Deanery
• We share with other churches the task of witnessing to the love of God through word and deed for everyone in the Deanery
• Wherever possible we aim to work ecumenically
• We recognise a special relationship with the Methodist Church through our Covenant
• In all that we do with and for God, we shall seek to be loving, collaborative, flexible, prepared to take risks, generous and wanting to say 'Yes'

Practice

1. prepare a written report for the Standing Committee and Synod
2. meet with the Standing Committee to discuss progress on their area and future direction
3. present the report to Deanery Synod