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
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