Final Mission Strategy report enthusiastically
affirmed by Convention

Work now begins on a New Way Forward

"This is YOUR report," said James Huber (pictured above), in presenting the final report of the Bishop's Commission on Mission Strategy (BCMS) to the 150th Anniversary Convention of the Diocese of Minnesota. On behalf of the BCMS Steering Committee, Diocesan Council, and the over 2,000 individuals, and more than 76% of the congregations of the diocese who took part, Huber presented the key findings and recommendations of the report in a special one-hour session that opened Saturday morning's convention business, and which seemed to mark a great deal of the convention business which followed.

The essentially unanimous affirmation of the report by Convention as the roadmap for the way forward, was historic, at an already historic 150th convention, in that it envisions and calls for a systemic remodeling and restructuring of the entire diocese within the next few years.

The result of two-plus years of action research, with a focus on modeling a collaborative, Spirit-led process as the way forward in its own operations, Rethinking, Reframing and Reclaiming Our Identity, Purpose and Mission, built upon key statements about Identity and Purpose which emerged out of the diocesan-wide conversations.

Identity: Why has God called us into existence as a diocese?

"We, the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota, are a communion of Christian congregations and other ministries, rooted in the breadth of the Anglican tradition, called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to share in Christ's ministry of reconciliation."

Purpose: What has God called us to do?

"Our purpose as the Episcopal Diocese of Minnesota is to seed and cultivate vibrant congregations of maturing Christian disciples, equipping and emboldening them to be Christ's heart, hands and voice in the world."

The plan is built upon a number of key guiding principles that emerged from the grass roots during the BCMS process, including intentional moves toward a more collaborative style of organization and leadership, and to a decentralized network of congregations and ministries as the core mode.

"We all know what a centralized model looks like, but this is moving us into uncharted territory" said Huber, where the group will need to seriously rely on mutual commitment and the gifts of the Holy Spirit. We know it is possible, because we (on the BCMS Steering Committee) have experienced it in our own work together these past two years, and we have been changed..."

The report articulates four overarching Goal Recommendations, with twelve supporting initiatives.

• Goal 1: Spiritual Transformation and Fuller Participation in God's Mission
• Goal 2: Renew Congregations in Context
• Goal 3: Recreate the Diocese as a Network
• Goal 4: Develop Effective Stewardship of Financial Resources

(The entire text of the report is available online here.)

The breadth, generativity, and essential affirmation of the report was immediately apparent as persons on all sides of important convention resolutions during the afternoon sessions cited the "spirit of BMCS" and other elements, in their statements and arguments pro and con over the various issues.

For all its honesty and hard look at the declines of the Episcopal Church in Minnesota over the past forty years, the Report seemed to catch the delegates' focus with a core hope and optimism: "The Good News, is that God is at work in our midst — In spite of the stark picture, we know that God is at work among us bringing about renewal. Signs of positive and constructive change abound. God has planted the seeds of our future in our midst."