bishops mission orders. purpose and scope the three-stage process: –exploration –consultation...

Bishops’ Mission Orders

Bishops’ Mission Orders

• Purpose and scope• The three-stage process:

– Exploration– Consultation– Action

• Accompaniment and review

The key documents

• The DPM Measure• The House of Bishops Code of

Practice• Advisory material:

– Beginner’s guide– Share

(www.sharetheguide.org)– Skeleton orders

Purpose and scope

“To affirm, enable, encourage and support a new mission initiative within the overall ordering of the life of the

church.”

Synodical involvement, recognition, clear oversight and integration in diocesan life.

When are they needed?

• When a mission initiative aims to establish a new community (a fresh expression of church)

• When a number of parishes or ecumenical partners are involved

• Code of Practice a helpful guide for local situations

Examples

• A network congregation for young adults in a deanery

• A collaboration between two parishes and a circuit in a new housing area

• A language-based congregation serving a large town

A three-stage process

• Stage 1: Making the proposal and initial explorations

• Stage 2: Consultation and drafting the Order

• Stage 3: Making the Order and review

Stage 1Making the Proposal

andInitial Explorations

Stage 2Consultation

andDrafting the Order

Stage 3Making the Order

and Review

Stage 1 – the proposal

• BMOs are made by bishops

• The bishop and/or local leaders can initiate

• The bishop normally appoints an officer



Stage 1 – initial questions

1. Nature and scope of the proposal

2. Originating parties?3. How will it further

the mission of the church?

4. Ecumenical partners5. Why is a BMO

required?



Stage 1 – further questions

6. How will it fit?7. Resources and

partnerships8. Formal consultation9. Mission

accompaniment?10.Provision of ministry11.Sustainability12.Special circumstances



Stage 2 - consultation

• Other churches/religious organisations ‘as [the bishop] thinks fit’

• Those with significant interest

• Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee

• Leaders of the planned initiative

Stage 2Consultation


Stage 2 – why is ‘ministry without consent’ needed?

• Future continuity (change of incumbent)

• Large geographical area, preventing unreasonable veto

• Incumbent unwilling but bishop satisfied it is right to override this

Stage 2Consultation


Stage 2 – ‘ministry without consent’

consultation• Few parishes: the

incumbent(s)• Deanery: Deanery

Synod House of Clergy

• Diocese: Diocesan Synod House of Clergy

Stage 2Consultation


Stage 2 – decision

Decision must make clear:

• objectives and areas of work

• leaders and their role• provision for

sacramental worship• duration of the BMO

(up to 5 years initially)

Stage 2Consultation


Stage 3 - visitor

The bishop appoints a visitor to:– oversee the initiative– report back and

ensure open communication

– review the initiative regularly and near the BMO’s end


and Review

Stage 3 - accompaniment

Visitor ensures suitable mission accompaniment for the initiative.

A person or people ‘who will walk with them as supportive and critical friends, both encouraging and challenging their development.’


and Review

Stage 3 – review scope• Should the initiative

continue?• Should the BMO be

renewed, or replaced by other legal provision?

• Should there be formal changes to the BMO?

• Are there particular aspects of work that need addressing?


and Review

Stage 3 – review outcome

• Renewal for finite period

• Renewal pending alternative future

• Replacement by other legal basis

• Termination• Indefinite renewal


and Review

Is it worth it?

• Testing a call• Owning the vision• Securing continuity• Providing

accountability• Patience needed



Stage 2Consultation



and Review

Any questions?

bishops mission orders. purpose and scope the three-stage process: –exploration –consultation...

Documents

order stage

stage process stage

review stage

officer stage

order slide

review slide

initial explorations

planned initiative stage