Getting Ready is three sessions of two hours, which will usually take place in your church. The aim is to establish a sound foundation for the next three years and to help you grow and flourish as individuals, a team and a parish as you move into Focal Ministry.
Getting Ready is for the prospective members of the Focal Ministry team and others with a leadership role in your parish and congregation. This includes the Oversight Minister and where possible some PCC members, Church Wardens and any other authorised ministers in the parish.
The sessions are learner-centred and tailored around you and your context. They are relaxed and discussion based.
Session one: Working Together
This session explores teamwork and collaborative ministry. It offers the opportunity to think through together how the different people, roles and responsibilities will work out in practice in your context.
Session two: Rooted in God
This session is about caring for yourself and each other and remaining rooted in God. It looks at growth, development, and learning and keeping a healthy balance and rhythm of life whilst carrying a role of responsibility in the parish.
Session three: Flourishing and Growing
This final session is about the role of the Focal Minister in nurturing their parish and congregation as they journey with God. It looks at how the Focal Ministers might enable others in the ministry and mission of the church. It also considers what new opportunities for ministry and mission in the wider parish Focal Ministry might open up.
As part of Getting Ready the Focal Minister(s) and their Oversight Minister will complete a Ministry Agreement to help everyone to be clear about roles and expectations. This includes what sort of ministry and how much time Focal Ministers are offering, as well as how legitimate expenses might be claimed.