creativeconceptualpartnerships(1).pdf

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A Perspective

The following comments have arisenfrom conversations amongst Chris Barnett(Children & Families), Adrian Greenwood(Young Adults), Drew Hanna (Youth),Rohan Pryor (Leadership) and ChristinaRowntree (Artfull Faith). As part of theCentre for Theology and Ministry, we arecommitted to education in the broadestsense. This includes advocacy, resourcing and provision of experiences that equipsand enables the church for ministry andmission. As specialists called to resourcethe Synod in our respective fields, we

regularly engage with leaders incongregations, clusters of congregations,presbyteries, agencies and other Synodroles. From our distinctive vantage pointsin the life of the Synod, we offer aparticular perspective to the broaderchurch.

Creative Hope

As we reflect on the past, experiencethe present and look to the future, wediscern new possibilities emerging acrossthe Uniting Church. A myriad of freshinitiatives, new expressions and exciting opportunities in mission and ministryprovide a glimpse of a church revitalizedand refreshed in its bearing witness to theworld of Gods love. We see people andcommunities being entrepreneurial,creative, and pioneering ministries thatare contextually located. We live in hopeand see signs of hope. Our sphere of

vision is broad and hope-full.

A Sphere Between the Spheres

Between a broad sphere of hopeful vision and our own vocational spheres of influence, we note spheres of concern:concern not in the sense of fear andanxiety, but encompassing matters of interest, import, and significance; mattersrequiring concentration, attentiveness,and cooperation; things that matterdeeply but which we are not directly orsolely responsible for. We see the valuableministry that specialists in particularcontexts bring to the mission of the wholeChurch, and the loss of mission andministry when such contextual specialists

cannot find sustainable vocationalpathways.

Contextual Theology istaking two

things seriously:

the experienceof the past

(recorded in scripture and

preserved and defended in the

tradition) and the experienceof the present,

that is, context (individual and social

experience, secular or religious

culture, social location, and

social change)

Stephan Bevans- Models of Contextual Theology

Educating Contextual Specialistsfor Missional Partnerships

We see the valuable ministry that specialists in particular

contexts bring to the missionof the whole Church, and the loss of mission and ministry

when such contextual specialists cannot find sustainable vocational

pathways.


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Our Spheres of Concern

We share the concerns of the widerSynod for the future of the gospel witnessedto by the ministry and mission of theUniting Church. As we train, inspire,

support and work with contextual specialistsacross the church, we are acutely aware thatthey often find themselves in ministry and

vocational cul de sacs. Indeed, severalsignificant reports and presentations to theSynod in recent years have addressed thisissue and called for renewed ways to beengaged in, and support, mission andministry.

By way of example, the Synod Ministrywith Younger Generations Task Groupnoted the need for better vocationalopportunities, pathways and training inrelation to those called toministry with YoungerGenerations. Ourobservation is that roleswith Younger Generations

are rarely recognised as vocational in nature withinthe Synod and that thosecalled to these expressionsof ministry often discover their employmentopportunities, and long term pathway inministry, lie outside such roles within theUniting Church in Victoria and Tasmania.

Our Sphere of Influence

Each part of the Synod has particular,though sometimes overlapping, spheres of influence. The Centre for Theology andMinistrys primary sphere of influence, for

example, includes education in the broadestsense -training, resourcing, formation,inspiring, encouraging, advocating. At thesame time, each part of the Synod has asphere of concern that extends beyond its

designated sphere of influence andinteracts in complex ways with the spheresof concern and influence of other areas of the Synod. Our sense is that these points of intersection provide fertile ground forintentional missional partnerships.

Embracing Partnerships

Again, many recent UCA reports andpresentations have noted the need forpartnerships (eg. Heart of the matter,Culture of Call and the Assembly

Children, Youth andFamilies Ministry Report).We believe healthy, resilientpartnerships are a solidfoundation for navigating

the shifting sands,terminology trip-ups andcultural misunderstandingsthat are an inevitable part of

contextual ministry and mission. Genuinemissional partnerships have the potential toembody discipleship, model leadership anddemonstrate healthy risk-taking. We believethat the generating of missionalpartnerships has a vital role to play in

reenergizing local, contextual mission andministry. Partnerships focused on a specificlocal context have great potential to unlock previously unreleased resources and gifts.

Partnerships focusedon a specific localcontext have greatpotential to unlock

previously unreleasedresources and gifts.

each part ofthe Synodhas a sphereof concernthat extendsbeyond itsdesignatedsphere ofinfluence


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Contextual Specialists andMissional Partnerships

Contextual specialists operating in missionalpartnerships can express, inspire and supportrenewed ways of engaging in mission and ministry.A focus on generating a diversity of such

partnerships may also provide potential pathsthrough the previously identified vocational cul desacs.

The kinds of partnerships envisaged mayinvolve various combinations of localcongregations, clusters of congregations,presbyteries, schools, agencies and specific othergroupings within the Synod. The focus of anyparticular partnership will vary, depending on thecontext. Examples we can point to encompassdifferent demographics, such as children and families,or engage community through the arts, chaplaincy orother forms of community engagement. A diversityof contexts calls for a diversity in contextuallyappropriate responses supported by Presbytery andSynod systems and staff characterised by creativity,flexibility, intentionality and accountability.

A Way ForwardWe believe that the intentional development of

Contextual Specialist roles (identified and nurturedby local communities of faith, developed with thesupport of the wider church) that are an expression of missional partnerships provides a way forward for thechurch in both ministry and mission. In addition, webelieve that enhanced recognition of the value of such roles will increase the likelihood of suitably

gifted, called and equipped people remaining withinthe life of the Synod. However, we also recognise thatcreation and funding of such roles will requirecreative thinking, faithful discernment and godly risk-taking.

Where to from here?

Our hope in presenting this particular perspective(and the concrete examples that follow) is that ourcollective imagination will be stirred, creativity will beengaged, hope will be raised and new possibilities forstrong missional partnerships will emerge.

We look forward to engaging in furtherconversation with those whose interest hasbeen piqued by these ideas and have set asidetime on Tuesday June 4 at 1pm at the CTM tomeet with those who are interested.

In the meantime feel free to explore any of theabove with any one of us at your earliest convenience.

Adrian Greenwood,Chris Barnett,

Christina Rowntree,Drew Hanna,Rohan Pryor.

Centre for Theology and Ministry29 College Cres Parkville 3052

t - (03) 9340 8800 | f 03 9340 8805e - [email protected] - www.ctm.uca.edu.au

We believethat thegenerating ofmissionalpartnershipshas a vital roleto play in

reenergizinglocal,contextualmission andministry.

hope of resurrection must bring about a new understanding of the world. This world is not the heaven of self-realization [] The world is not yet finished, but is understood as engaged in a

history. It is therefore the world of possibilities, the world in which we can serve the future, promised truth and righteousness and peace.

Jrgen Moltmann, Theology of Hope, 1967
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]:[email protected]


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St Leonards, Brighton

Both of the St Leonards inBrighton - the co-educational P-12College and the Uniting Church

congregation have formed a richpartnership which enhances theeffectiveness of each. The three-personministry team provides chaplaincyservices to the college, which in turnfunds one of the congregation ministryteam placements. Each personcontributes their gifts and a portion of time, responsible to both the ChurchCouncil and the College Board. Theministry team members each buildrelationships with students and engagein pastoral conversations, referring professional counselling for deeperissues.

What makes this work?

Creative thinking enriched thehistoric partnership between thecollege and congregation, each funding and providing chaplaincy services to

the student body, also enriching theministry and the mission of thecongregation.

Strong links have formed: theministry of the congregation includesthe college chaplaincy, and the collegeidentifies the congregation as itschurch.

Ministry team members arecommitted to working as a team,meeting regularly for planning andsupervision.

The arts provide a platform forengaging community in youth ministry.Godly Play forms a significant methodin chaplaincy in the junior school.

More info? St Leonards UCministry team, www.stleonards.org.au

Albury-Wodonga EcumenicalTertiary Chaplaincy (AWETC)

Charles Sturt University and LaTrobe University have campuses in

Albury and Wodonga. Tertiarystudents in regional centres are oftenisolated and financially vulnerable, sostudent housing and chaplaincyservices developed through localchurch initiatives and ecumenicalpartnerships in the local area. TheAWETC committee draws supportfrom the local churches, oversees andsupports the tertiary chaplaincy teamincluding appointment of a chaplaincycoordinator, and contributes volunteersas well as material aid for students.Youth-specific BOMAR funding contributes substantially to thechaplaincy costs, and links tocongregations provide mentors tostudents.


Collaborative ecumenical

partnerships enable more effectiveministry than any single congregationcould achieve.

Contributions to material aid,including a food bank, toiletries, andsocks & gloves due to the high cost of heating, directly benefit students.

Creative use of Uniting Churchproperty supports student housing andbuilds relationships

More info? Judy Redman,borderchaplaincy.wordpress.com

Buloke Council YouthDevelopment Officer

The Buloke Shire in north-westernVictoria is one of the most sparsely

populated municipalities in Victoria,comprising five major towns, Birchip,Charlton, Donald, Sea Lake andWycheproof and smaller communities.A partnership between the Uniting Church presbyteries of WesternVictoria and Loddon Mallee obtainedBOMAR funding to access youth-specific funds to provide half-funding for the youth development officer role.

The Youth Uniting ChurchEngagement Program focuses onbuilding welfare and social programsfor youth and families in the Bulokecommunity.


Collaborative partnershipsbetween church and local council, andbetween Uniting Church presbyteries,identifying resources to meet the needs

of the local communities.

More info? John Russell, Jen Pretty,Mike Lewis, buloke.vic.gov.au/youth-programs

3 Examples of Creative Contextual Missional Partnerships

Thinking outside our own walls, we can collaborate with other groups in a local area to formcreative partnerships which connect Uniting Church congregations and other agencies orinstitutions in order to provide contextual ministry and mission.

If you know further

examples of creativemissional partnerships,let us know so we can

share the experience andinspiration

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