Policy 4 of the Diocese Mission is To reform the life of the Diocese (including our culture, ordinances, customs, use of resources, and deployment of ministry) to encourage and enable the fulfilment of the fundamental aim.

The idea is that all of the resources and culture of the Diocese should be redirected to serve the ends of the aim, namely To multiply Bible-based Christian fellowships, congregations and churches which equip and nurture their members and expand themselves, both in the Diocese and ‘in all the world’.

With limitations on future funding forcing serious thinking about future structures and priorities, now is a good time to think about our progress in reform. This kind of reform need not be bad. Over time, unnecessary practices creep into any organisation. Sometimes, before you realise that they actually have slowed things down, they have already become entrenched. Funding cuts force a review, and that can be a good thing.

If I may be bold to cite the example of the removal of archdeacons. While they were there structurally, many relied on them (and may I say they did a superb job). But now that they are not there in the same way, we have all worked out alternative (and sometimes faster) ways to proceed.

As we work together to review and reform the life of the Diocese, what other opportunities are available for this kind of reform? Here are some random questions that come to mind:

1. Is regionalism as effective as it once was?
2. Is it feasible for the training of Assistant Ministers to be more formally and structurally located at the Parish level?
3. Is it possible for bishops to be freed somewhat from administration to be more involved in other areas? Or is that just the nature of the job?
4. Is a user pays ‘Parishes Services Centre’ sustainable to help those who don’t have the expert people required for many administration tasks?

I do not necessarily think we should do any of these things. But if we are serious about reform, it can only be helpful if these kinds of things can be discussed.

So what do you think about these ideas, or any other? How can the resources we have be best directed so that more people in our great city know about Jesus?