| Clergy: What is the single thing we need to do in the next five years that would make for the most exciting time in our Diocese? | |
| C1 | Bring back Horace Boyer (Lift Every Voice and Sing) — how he brought the Diocesan Convention together — we were really One! |
| C2 | Raise consciousness to a new level of awareness regarding the wider communities |
| C3 | Inclusiveness — if everybody felt they were accepted, it would be POWERFUL! |
| C4 | MDGs — to serve the poor at home and abroad |
| C5 | Avenue for sharing what other parish successes are — outreach ministry — move beyond our diocesan borders — that is to quote an over used adage big in the 80's — paradigm shift — Advertise |
| C6 | Evangelism — stronger sense of listening and community among clergy. More acceptance of those clergy who differ. |
| C7 | Have our youth — open the age of voting |
| C8 | I loved the Stella Maris clergy retreat that was fun, relaxing and prayerful — It had fun activities built into it. Our bishop is providing this — and it is gradually happening — it provides spiritual nourishment and creativity for us as clergy |
| C9 | There is the need for an Assistant Bishop in the Diocese |
| C10 | Suffragan Bishop |
| C11 | Need to double in size — most of our parishes — we need hard core Evangelism |
| C12 | Double in size — tend more to those not in the pews than those who are. |
| C13 | Build a sense of community amongst the clergy of the diocese: that we understand that we are in this together and need each other. |
| C14 | State Fair, open to everybody of the land. |
| C15 | Bring people to Christ and bring people together. A big party, time to celebrate, in every church, commission — celebrate w/everyone, don't keep anyone out. Don't let anyone feel left out. Do more evangelism — but be creative in it. But in theological understanding |
| C16 | Create sense of pastoral concern — faithful firmness, loving leadership, which Bishop Councell presents — with humility |
| C17 | |
| C18 | Personal commitment to MDGs through Episcopal Relief and Development. |
| C19 | That we have some real enthusiasm for what we are about. |
| C20 | Reconciliation of our hurts — differences — our pain |
| C21 | Visible (high profile) profile in community — sacramental worship in public space |
| C22 | Spend time in transition to know who we are and who we are becoming. Stop, look, and listen — proactive, not reactive |
| C23 | Begin a decade of Evangelism |
| C24 | Arena-sized gathering of Episcopalians for worship, music and teachings — a real celebration! |
| C25 | Start six new congregations |
| C26 | More compassion for one another and less judgmental criticism |
| C27 | This Diocese needs such a powerful prayer base that unites us and empowers us to grow as people of God — not just in numbers. We can grow and become fat — but we need to grow strong in order to do God's work |
| C28 | Prayer |
| C29 | To find a way to determine whether the message of the Gospel is attractive to the world or does our presentation of the same need to be radically altered so that others may hear and grow |
| C30 | Increasingly aware of the context in which we live and exploring it on all levels, inclining ecumenical partners, from our learning for the good of us all |
| C31 | Better tap in to Hispanic population — figure out how to develop congregations with this population |
| C32 | I think we are doing it now. Draw on gifts of clergy. Offering programs, courses, etc. |
| C33 | To raise the profile of diocese in parishes, so lay people understand what a diocese is and why it is important |
| C34 | Full inclusion of younger adults and young families (20's and 30's) as leaders at all levels |
| C35 | By building our Hispanic ministry and a strong focus on children |
| C36 | Deal with better stewardship |
| C37 | Develop clear mission — I function best when I have goals — emphasis needs this vision |
| C38 | |
| C39 | Craft an inspirational vision that is owned and lived out by a "coalition of the willing" of clergy and people of our Diocese. |
| C40 | Spiritual growth on understanding our relationship with God and with one another |
| C41 | Develop a real sense of community |
| C42 | Empower the laity that they become the church in the world and in the parish; really embrace their identity with enthusiasm, and competence. Christian identity becomes primary. |
| C43 | All parishes were totally united in gifts and use this to realize that nothing is out of our reach through Christ. Parishes should think more diocesan as oppose to individuals |
| C44 | Rediscover our first love in Christ and work and behave as we did then! |
| C45 | A willingness to close parishes that can no longer function and to reallocate resources to support healthy parishes and new church plants. |
| C46 | Make this visioning process count — at end looking at all data — here's something that gets us fired up — put time, energy and resources behind them. |
| C47 | Through evangelism, come together with programs to combat major issues. Give thanks to God for it |
| C48 | This is difficult…. More consciousness raising regarding refutation of creeping congregational issues in our church. |
| C49 | Party with fervor, expecting the Second Coming of Jesus Christ will happen in our natural lifetime! |
| C50 | we need Diocesan Festival with a bus load from every congregation that shares with each other what's happening in the congregation and ministry and celebrates our joy as being disciples of Jesus Christ as Episcopalians of the Diocese of New Jersey. |
| C51 | |
| C52 | Begin congregations — evangelism — close parishes if necessary. Rediscover what it is we offer the world — open new missionary fields. |
| C53 | Focus — from Godly endeavors — joyous — events with joy |
| C54 | Build our own camp and retreat center, so we have place to minister to all sorts and conditions of men |
| C55 | Serious parish redevelopment in targeted places. Rethink of what ministry is in that place and what resources needed |
| C56 | carefully planned Diocesan Evangelism 1. state wide planning demographic 2. parish training for reception of integration of visitor members 3. state wide advertising |
| C57 | growth |
| C58 | be more in media — take advantage of opportunities. To be seen and heard. Visitors need to be welcomed. Become a more welcoming church |
| C59 | reaffirm our common ministry as a diocese |
| C60 | church that our outward oaths than inward looking |
| C61 | bring our parishes back to supervision of one bishop; one united family, even within our differences |
| C62 | plant new churches |
| C63 | discern a vision that will empower authentic unity |
| C64 | Be open to each other. If we are not open we can not be exciting, creative, inspiring |
| C65 | equipping parishes for ministry — in parish — in region — change from survival to mission |
| C66 | embracing anti—racism by moving beyond training to structural change |
| C67 | to stand up and shout out that we are here. Sometimes I feel like we are to squirreled away in our notches |
| C68 | get out there and be known for doing food works, helping so that when they see a sign "the Episcopal Church welcomes you" they believe |
| C69 | Given the controversies in the wider church, be a witness of how to stay together in community embrace our differences, in return , sharing god's good news. |
| C70 | Stop apologizing for being the church. Put on the full armor of God and lift the Cross. |
| C71 | We do not need to be competitive. Especially about claiming our time. A better distribution of our resources among our many parishes/missions. |
| C72 | We make a monument to eliminate racism in NJ and in so doing, partner with other churches, denominations, get to know other parishes of different economic make-up in your community, adopt families, help as mission... |
| C73 | To support the diocese in its financial needs |
| C74 | 1. Support our Bishop and diocesan staff financially and spiritually to enable them to lead in the direction they have begun — even if it is where we do not want to go. |
| C75 | developing a clear vision for all to adhere to. |
| C76 | Empower the local congregations to do the thing we do best. Formulas of giving that empower the diocese — but I see you wanting people in diocese. That won't do much to help the parishes. |
| C77 | Break down competition between clergy. |
| C78 | Not bicker about small things and dive into big things. |
| C79 | come to terms with why our congregations are not growing and what needs to be different in our liturgy; how the Holy Spirit is calling us to grow. |
| C80 | |
| C81 | Mandatory six day retreat each year for clergy in community under the leadership of Bishop |
| C82 | Two full-time suffragan bishops — every church visited every year |
| C83 | To create an institution that results in works of charity — our Diocese |
| C84 | To set a one goal so daring and so outrageous that the only way we get there is by God |
| C85 | Don' t know |
| C86 | Create a project outside of ourselves that will bond us with other dioceses throughout country. |
| C87 | |
| C88 | Close or merge all the churches that are private chapels and do nothing to spread the Gospel. |
| C89 | A deeper and more intentional focus on experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit |
| C90 | Pray together, play together, dream together |
| C91 | Not to disassociate ourselves from Canterbury |
| C92 | This planning process in a way that keeps everybody emotionally and spiritually on board |
| C93 | A way to not be afraid to live outside box |
| C94 | To successfully open our doors to those who are not in the pews |
| C95 | To have an outward focus — not to be inward-focused communities, even though that runs counter to the intuition in most parishes. |
| C96 | Move from maintenance to mission in each parish — offer this visioning process to convocations or parishes as resources available |
| C97 | Offering visioning process in a convocation/parish level — so each parish can start to live into the vision — moving from maintenance to vision. |
| C98 | We need to all commit to paying our full fair share to the diocese every year, not because of how much the diocese needs it but because we need to do it to increase our faith. |
| C99 | Hold multiple spiritual retreats throughout the Diocese that each person — ordained and lay — could attend once a year! What needs to happen in the Diocese could flow from the depth of that experiences. |
| C100 | Get people in congregations more involved in the service, organizations, etc. Of the church. Way to involve people in daily life of church. |
| C101 | Adequately fund the work of the diocese so that the people are not overworked and can do their best work. |
| C102 | Be seen from outside as healthy, respect each other, living out gospel, fun, honor and raise up diversity as important. Inner city ministry. |
| C103 | To have a camp in Diocese as described above — a gathering for youth — would be great to have a Diocese Camp. |
| C104 | Return to our original passion and commitment that brought us into the church. |
| C105 | Create more inspiring and upbeat worship. |
| C106 | to celebrate our differences/diversities |
| C107 | believe what we say |
| C108 | one by one by one — peoples' lives need to be transformed by a relationship with Christ. I trust Holy Spirit to bring us to this place, where this enthusiasm just pours out. |
| C109 | giant revival — that we all learn to be evangelists in the best sense of the word: telling our personal stories and leading others to a personal relationship with Christ. |
| C110 | recognition and joyful sharing of the individual gifts and talents of each of us, together as members of our Diocesan family |
| C111 | Diocesan—wide music festival, using every style of church music |
| C112 | adopt and practice a liturgical creation season |
| C113 | A sense of mission and evangelism solidly based upon scripture and the sacraments to bring the distribution of congregations. More in line with the demographics of our diocese. |
| C114 | We become part of the decision making organisms |
| C115 | To break the tndency of the Diocese that is independent of the life of the mission. Thinking of the diocese that is independent of the life of the Mission. |
| C116 | Support the work of the parishes |
| C117 | Put in practice the results of this interview |
| C118 | Greater interaction between parishes and missions |
| Back
to top Back to Clergy Responses main page Back to Vision home page |
|