Mutual Ministry

Version en español

“I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect.” Romans 12:1-2

“As it is, there are many members, yet one body.” 1 Corinthians 12:20

In the 2012 Diocesan Profile created for our bishop search, we said we were looking for a “chief pastor who is passionate and compassionate,” who offers “strong leadership among both lay and clergy, and encourage[s] collaborative models of leadership.”  We were also seeking a “visionary” who will “inspire us through bold proclamation that the Holy Spirit is doing a new thing in the midst of our struggles,” and “be a change agent” who will “charge us to change and grow.” It has been five years since we elected The Right Reverend William “Chip” Stokes to be the Twelfth Bishop of New Jersey, and this milestone offers us an excellent opportunity to reflect on what we as the faithful children of God in the Diocese of New Jersey have accomplished and what we hope to do, with God’s help, in the future.

 The purpose of this Diocesan Mutual Ministry Review is to better understand the working relationship between the Bishop, the Bishop’s Staff and the members of the Diocese of New Jersey as we work together to build God’s kingdom on earth.  We greatly appreciate you taking a few minutes of your time to answer these questions as honestly and thoughtfully as possible. 

Question Title

* 1. What is your perception of the Bishop’s ministry in the following areas:

  Excellent Good Satisfactory Poor Do Not Know
Providing a vision
Providing leadership
Making needed decisions
Being pastoral
Being prophetic
Responding to crisis
Overseeing/supporting Diocesan staff
Overseeing/supporting Diocesan clergy
Overseeing/supporting the ordination process
Preaching
Attentiveness to parish visits
Use of technology (social media, web posts, e-news articles)

Question Title

* 2. Our Diocesan Profile specifically asked for a “change agent.” Change needs leadership that is both “hands on” and “perspective” (i.e. seeking the big picture). Such leadership can be perceived as being completely assertive (telling everyone what to do) to being so process-oriented that there is no direction toward a solution.  How do you best describe the leadership style of our Bishop?

Question Title

* 3. Based on the statement in question 2,  How do you best describe the leadership style of the Bishop's Staff?

Question Title

* 4. Based on the statement in question 2,  How do you best describe the leadership style of the Diocesan Clergy?

Question Title

* 5. Based on the statement in question 2,  How do you best describe the leadership style of the Diocesan Lay Leadership?

Question Title

* 6. Consider the statement “The purpose of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ who can participate in God’s mission of reconciliation to the world.” Do you:

Question Title

* 7. As a ministry team, has the Bishop’s staff been accessible to you in ways which are helpful to you and your congregation?

Question Title

* 8. From your perspective, what are the 3 most helpful ways that the Bishop and/or the Bishop’s staff assisted you/parish/mission/diocese to adapt to changes in the context of your ministry over the last 5 years?

Question Title

* 9. From your perspective, what assistance do you need from the Bishop and/or the Bishop’s staff to adapt to anticipated changes in your ministries (local and/or diocesan) over the next 3 years?

Question Title

* 10. What strengths have you experienced in the ministries of our Bishop and the Bishop’s Staff?

Question Title

* 11. In your experience, what are the “growing edges” or ways the Bishop and the Bishop’s Staff could enhance/transform their ministries?

Question Title

* 12. Building on Question 8, in what way might you assist in that enhancement/transformation?

Question Title

* 13. Has the reduction in diocesan staff affected you or your parish/mission?

Question Title

* 14. What is new and/or exciting in your congregation in terms of its spiritual life and its call to be disciples of Jesus Christ?

Question Title

* 15. What is your sense of the well-being of our Diocese?

T