Vision for the Diocese of Central Florida

2000 – 2010

“To make the Great Commandment and the Great Commission the twin priorities of the Diocese of Central Florida”

With our Bishop our vision for the next decade is:

·        To develop and support congregations of Episcopalians, who are truly in love with the Lord and his Word, and who

        reach out to include others in the adventure of knowing and following Christ.

·        To raise up and support Clergy who will major in their giftedness to equip and deploy God’s people for ministry. 

·        To make Central Florida as famous for God as it is for tourism.

Goal 1

To call upon every congregation to establish an intentional program of evangelism.

Tasks & Time frame

·                2000          Bishop articulates the call in convention address

·                2000          Call featured in Central Florida Episcopalian

·                2000          Receive “Progress Report” from each congregation by end of the year

                and annually thereafter

·                    2005          At least 1/3 of our congregations to offer worship services for other

                ethnic groups/nationalities

·                2010          At least 1/2 of our congregations to offer worship services for other

                ethnic groups/nationalities

FINANCES

·        Budget provided for Evangelism Commission

TRAINING

·        Develop teams to act as Evangelism resources in congregations

·        Follow up with Alpha training sessions around the diocese

OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

·        Evangelism Commission to monitor progress of our congregations

Goal 2

To call upon every congregation to establish an intentional program of stewardship.    

TaskS & Time frame

·                2000          Bishop articulates the call in convention address

·                2000          Call featured in Central Florida Episcopalian

·                2000          Request “Progress Report” from each congregation by end of the year and annually thereafter

·                        2002          Every congregation to develop a program for “Planned Giving”

·                        2005          Every congregation to develop a plan of giving beyond itself

FINANCES

·        Budget provided for Stewardship Commission

TRAINING

·        Continue and expand training opportunities through resources like the “Gordon Plan” and The All Saints Program (out of All Saints, Lakeland)

·        Promote Crown Ministries and Planned Giving Programs

OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

·        Stewardship Commission to monitor progress of our congregations

Goal 3

To establish at least 15 new congregations by the year 2010 and conduct a capital funds campaign to raise at least ten million dollars for that purpose.

Tasks & Time frame

·                    2000                      Begin two fellowships

·                    2000                      Begin comprehensive study of most promising sites using professional planning group like                                     Percept or Visions×Decisions

·                    2001 – 2007          Begin two mission stations each year

·                    2001-2008             Receive two organized missions each year

Finances

Launch a capital funds campaign with a feasibility study in the fall or winter of 2000 with a goal of raising 10 million dollars

Operational Funds

·        Provide a grant to each new congregation for operational funds

congregation as follows:

·                Year one

Up to $100,000 operational funds for salaries for a

                                                            Vicar

                                                      Musician

                                                      Youth minister

·                Year two

                                                Up to $75,000 operational funds for salaries

·                Year three

                                                Up to $50,000 operational funds for salaries

·                Year four

                                                Up to $25,000 operational funds for salaries

·                Year five

                                                the mission is entirely self supporting

Capital Funds

·        Provide a grant to each congregation of up to $250,000 for property and

initial facilities and

·        Lend each congregation up to $250,000 under the current loan terms

Training

·        Require seminarians from Central Florida to learn the fundamentals of church planting

·        Tie support of seminarians to service in the Diocese of Central Florida

·        Offer training at ICS for church planting to deacons and laity

·        Create teams of clergy and laity prepared to assist church planting

·        Use resources like Evangelism Explosion, Trinity School for Ministry, Willow Creek and Alban Institute

Oversight and Accountability

·        Vicars shall meet with the Bishop on a quarterly basis for coordination and accountability

·        Quarterly reports detailing finances, attendance, programs, etc. shall be submitted to the Bishop's Office by every organized mission

·        Congregational Development Commission to monitor progress

Goal 4

Strengthen and support the ministry of our existing mission congregations and smaller, rural churches.

TASKS & TIME FRAME

·        Ongoing mission of the church

·        Develop visitation teams proficient in congregational development

FINANCES    

·        Provided in Mission Support of the operating budget

TRAINING

·        Require clergy to participate in continuing education opportunities

·        Use of resources like Evangelism Explosion, Trinity School for Ministry, Willow Creek and Alban Institute

OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

·        Vicars meet quarterly with the Bishop

·        Congregational Development Commission to monitor progress

Goal 5

To call upon every congregation to raise up and support clergy and laity to discover and develop their individual gifts so that God’s people will be equipped for ministry.

Tasks & Time frame

·        Congregations to offer programs enabling individuals to identify their own spiritual gifts

·        Congregations to offer healing ministries

·        Congregations to offer Bible study and small group ministry

·        Congregations to offer resources to couples equipping them for marriage

·        Congregations to develop prison ministries

·        Congregations to offer pastoral care (marriage preparation/counseling, bereavement support, homebound and sick ministries, etc.)

·        Equip clergy with skills to “get their congregation going”

·        Each congregation to offer Christian Education and Formation for ministry

·        Develop network tools and consultants to link congregations with successful ministries to those who desire to start such ministries

FINANCES

·        None required at diocesan level

TRAINING

·            Training offered through Institute for Christian Studies and other diocesan, deanery and parish programs

·            Train parish leaders (clergy and lay) in congregational Leadership at deanery and/or diocesan level

OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

·            Create a Christian Formation Commission in 2000 to monitor progress & coordinate resources and networking

  Congregations will be requested to complete a survey developed by the Christian Formation Commission detailing involvement in these ministries by 2002

Goal 6

To call upon every congregation to develop and enhance intergenerational ministries.

Tasks & Time frame

·        Encourage each congregation to have at least one full time youth minister

·        Promote the recruitment of young people for ordained ministry

·        2010          Provide  a Canterbury House at University of  Central Florida

·        Encourage older parish members to be more involved in leadership and teaching

FINANCES

·        Seek funding sources for Canterbury House

TRAINING

·        Continue the work of the Diocesan Youth Officer

·        Involve the Commission on Ministry in recruitment of youth for ordained ministry

·        Provide workshops on ministry of, by, and for seniors involving such bodies as the Commission on Aging and the Episcopal Society for Ministry on Aging

OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

·        Diocesan Board to receive yearly progress report from the Diocesan Youth Officer, Committee on Aging and Commission on Ministry

·        Christian formation Commission to monitor progress

Goal 7

Clarify relationship of the Diocese of Central Florida to various institutions and corporations related to the diocese but not under the control of the Bishop or the Diocesan Board.

TASKS & TIME FRAME      

·        2000          Bishop and staff to call for joint meetings with schools, camps,

conference centers, retirement centers and any other related institution or corporation in order to work together more closely within the canons of the church and all relevant state and federal laws.

FINANCES    

·        None required

TRAINING

·        None required

OVERSIGHT AND ACCOUNTABILITY

·        Bishop, Chancellor and Diocesan Board    

Updated March 1, 2000

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