Larger than circuit A consultation

Background Mapping a way forward: Regrouping for Mission 2007 Regrouping for Mission

Working party appointed by Methodist Council Reviewed conference and council reports Met with a variety of people around the connexion Worked in conjunction with Fruitful Field project Looked at the current constitutional perspective Explored the changing context for mission Identified common themes for further exploration Regrouping for Mission

Working Party reported to Conference 2013 Full report available on line or on request to the Synod Secretary Regrouping for Mission

Conference 2013 decisions a) Explore further role and responsibilities of District and its Synod. Develop proposals for patterns and structures to express ‘Larger than Circuit’ taking account of local context Regrouping for Mission

Conference 2013 decisions b)Two year process, with proposals to Conference Collated responses from Districts by 30 th September 2014 to enable information to be reviewd and reports prepared. Regrouping for Mission

Conference 2013 decisions c) Explorations to take place within the Districts and Circuits. Conversations also to happen within and between Districts in Discipleship and Ministries Learning Network regions Regrouping for Mission

Conference 2013 decisions d) A Co-ordinating Group was appointed to take forward the process, reporting to council and conference Loraine Mellor, Michael Noble, Kathy Burrell, Carla Hall, John Nyota, Rod Hill Regrouping for Mission

Conference 2013 decisions Each District will take part in this consultation Children and young people should be consulted Ecumenical partners should be involved Regrouping for Mission

The consultation The impetus for this consultation is ‘Regrouping for Mission’ Regrouping for Mission

An overarching question In order to help you fulfil your role in God’s mission what resources are uniquely or best provided from beyond the Circuit? Regrouping for Mission

1.What might continue to be gained by having something ‘Larger than Circuit’? Regrouping for Mission

2. What might be lost if there was nothing ‘Larger than Circuit’ except for the Connexional Team and the Conference? Regrouping for Mission

3. If there were to be nothing between Circuits and the Conference, how might the current functions of the Districts be carried out? (See the list of current functions of the District in Working Party Report, Appendix 4) Regrouping for Mission

4. What might be the necessary functions of a ‘Larger than Circuit’ entity or entities? Regrouping for Mission

5. What might be lost by having a smaller number of ‘Larger than Circuit’ groupings (currently Districts) than at present? Regrouping for Mission

6. What might the relationship be between larger Circuits and ‘Larger than Circuit’ entities or smaller circuits and ‘Larger than Circuit’ entities? Regrouping for Mission

7. How might ‘Larger than Circuit’ be undertaken differently and/or more effectively than now? Regrouping for Mission

8. How might ‘Larger than Circuit’ be undertaken more cost effectively than now? Regrouping for Mission

Thank you for your time in taking part in this important consultation. Regrouping for Mission