Local Ministry Team

WHAT IS LOCAL MINISTRY?

The MLT is a team of lay and ordained people working in partnership to lead, coordinate and develop the ministry and mission of all to build up the worshipping, witnessing body of Christ locally.

Priorities agreed with the PCC, 2002

The whole parish was involved in the decision to form a Ministry Team, and everyone on the parish electoral roll was invited to share with the PCC and the parish clergy in selecting eight team members, four people from St Mary’s congregation and four from St Nicolas’. As well as Fr Michael, the team also includes our Reader Linda Biggs, and our licensed lay worker Andy Macauly. After a period of training together, we received our first mandate in Gloucester cathedral in 2002, and were re-mandated for a further period in April 2006.

Peter Brown, one of our original lay members, was ordained priest in 2004, and now serves in the benefice as a locally ordained minister, while still continuing in fulltime outside employment.

ENABLERS

Essentially, we are enablers, rather than do-ers. The whole parish received the commission for Local Ministry, and it is our task to make it happen.

HOW DO WE DIFFER FROM THE PAROCHIAL CHURCH COUNCIL?

Unlike the PCC, we are not tied to solving urgent practical questions. We can spend time thinking around a particular area of church life and looking ahead. We have been able to develop as a spiritual group, praying about the needs of the parish as well as planning.

PASTORAL CARE

One of our main focuses is pastoral care. We have set up a hospital visiting scheme and also coordinate the parish bereavement support team. Both are working well thanks to the enthusiasm of a big group of visitors. Through person-to-person contacts as well as our participation in the various committees and activities we are a network for two-way communication throughout the parish. More people come to us now to talk over concerns, worries or ideas. We feel we can truly act as bridge builders.

SO DO WE TAKE SERVICES?

We do 'do' some things. We are glad to take some of the load from the clergy, eg the parish surgery. We know when we can take initiatives, and when to seek guidance. Team members are active in planning all-age worship, and share the leadership of both “Celebrate!”, at St Mary’s every Sunday, and occasional “Eucharists with a Difference” at St Nicolas’. We take our part in conducting the Sunday afternoon service at Bay Tree Court, and occasionally lead other services. We have organised several quiet days.

WHAT ABOUT OTHER PEOPLE?

Very little of what we do is exclusive to the MLT. Many others are involved in much of the above, and we bring in more people in an active role whenever we can. In both our congregations we sense a strengthening conviction that the ministry at Prestbury truly belongs to and is the responsibility of every member, not just the clergy.

BEING A TEAM

It is a privilege to be elected and empowered to serve our parish. The authority given to us at mandating makes us more confident in what we do, and helps people to trust us. As individuals, we come from different Christian traditions. We have learned to accept differences, to trust and support each other.  It is good belonging to a team.

Mutual support and encouragement, looking outwards, growing into unity: a vision, surely, for the whole church in this place.

Prestbury Ministry Leadership Team, collated by Beryl Elliott