Auckland has a Diocesan Statute which provides a framework for the development of this ministry style. We have an ordered process to assist ministry units in their transitional journey into this way of being church.
Enquiry
Ministry units usually ask about LSM because either they are facing change (often financially driven), or they are interested in the theology. The community gathers information about this ministry style. Experiences some education. Seeks permission from the Bishop to formally enter the LSM journey.
Exploration
Work is done to help congregation members identify their gifts and see how they contribute to the life of the Church. The congregation identifies their priorities for mission and ministry. The theological education of the ministry community continues.
Calling
The congregation calls from its midst those it discerns to have the gifts for particular areas of mission and ministry. The Bishop and LSM staff members are closely involved in the call process. Individuals are approached. The Ministry Support Team is commissioned by the Bishop. A Ministry Enabler is appointed by the Bishop to guide the process and provide training.
Training
Training has three strands:
- Upskilling of individual team members.
- Congregational education.
- Open to all / not to over train.
Training is taken to each unit rather than extracting people to a distant location to train them.
Licensing and inauguration of the LSM Unit
After the ministry unit has been assessed by a diocesan team, and the congregation has declared their readiness to proceed members of the Ministry Support Team are licensed (a common license is issued to the team). The parish / ministry unit then becomes a Local Shared Ministry Unit.