By the term ‘oversight ministry’ we are simply seeking to emphasise that those who are called to the ordained ministry are called above all to mobilise the whole people of God.
The primary purpose of the Oversight Minister in this model is to enable all the baptised to live out the fullness of their vocation, having received the light of Christ, ‘to shine as a light in the world to the glory of God the Father’. ‘Guided by the Spirit, priests are to discern and foster the gifts of all God’s people’.
This nurturing, empowering, enabling ministry is not ‘one-size-fits-all’: it will take a different shape in each local context. But the consistent emphasis will be, for stipendiary oversight ministers to release the people of God to be signs, first-fruits and agents of God’s kingdom in the world. We recognise that many of our clergy are already working in this way.
The role descriptions of Oversight Ministers are comprehensive and generic in nature in order to explain the range and scope of this ministry and how the role can work in practice in the Mission Areas. However, as they are implemented they will need to be adapted to local circumstances as we are acutely aware of the many different contexts and challenges in each Mission Area, and one size does not fit all. Once appointed, the Associate Archdeacon-Transition Enablers will manage this process of local consultation, and all Oversight Ministers’ role descriptions will be signed off by the Archdeacon on behalf of the Bishops. Above all, the roles must be fulfilling, realistic and achievable.
The role has been shaped around 4 key areas
- To oversee mission and ministry in the Mission Area, managing change and providing vision, direction and leadership.
Every parish/benefice will have an Oversight Minister who will be Priest in Charge. They will nurture and support Focal Ministers and ministry teams for the congregations under their care. Where there is more than one Oversight Minister in a Mission Area we recommend that they are licensed as Assistant Curates in the parishes where their colleague is the Priest in Charge to emphasise the collegiate nature of this relationship.
- To grow a healthy church, watching over the well-being of the whole people of God and equipping them for the whole mission of God.
The Priestly gifts of shepherd, teacher, pastor, evangelist and enabler come into play in seeking, nurturing and releasing disciples of Jesus who themselves make disciples.
- To ensure mission and ministry in the Mission Area reflects the Christian faith as understood in the Church of England and the diocesan strategy.
This involves advancing the priorities in our diocesan strategy of Renewed, Released and Rejuvenated.
- To keep watch over the leaders in the Mission Area.
A dependency upon God and prioritising prayer are foundational in the role description. Oversight Ministers will be instrumental in identifying and then supporting leaders in their personal development and self-care.
