upd8 (Summer 2006)

1. PolicySupport and Research Unit upd8 – Summer 2006 upd8(Summer 2006)

2. Policy Support and Research Unit Here is news from some of the ground-clearing projects, reports of Team Focus workshops held at Conference, and the latest thinking on the decision-making framework. Decision-making framework Conference Workshops A reminder of the twelve projects News of the projects: 3: Re-visioning work with children and young people 7: Relationship between mph and the Connexional Team A prayer Contact details To return to this menu press the PSRU logo in the bottom right hand corner. upd8(Summer 2006)

3. Decision-making framework At May’s Team Training Session for the Connexional Team, a framework for deciding which elements of work should figure in the re-configured Connexional Team was shared. Since then the framework has been refined. Click here to see the new process. The framework has now been approved by SRC (Strategy and Resources Committee) and a handbook, pro-forma and timetable for submission of proposals will be circulated later this month (August). An independent panel is being assembled to consider the submissions. upd8(Summer 2006)

4. E3 • „ • In principle is there a case for • allocation of Team resource? • (Need to score 10 or above) • Would the Team contribution to the • proposed work ... • … promote a required consistency of practice across the Connexion (4*) • … require Church partnerships at denominational level (4*) • … bring higher quality in a cost effective manner (4*) • … bring financial economies of scale through centralizing (3*) • … require judgements between conflicting local interests (3*) • … regularly require rare specialist skills (2*) • … bring its own funding (2*) • … complement, without duplication, other Team work (2*) † What scale of Team resources would be required? (Eg: staff, available partners, principal risks, effectiveness measures) Yes  Is this justified as innovative risk-taking in the cause of mission? Allocation of resources No Yes Decisions ≥10 No ≥10 ≤10 ≤10 Consider wider Connexional resources * maximum score for each question upd8(Summer 2006)

5. Team Focus Conference Workshops At Conference, over 400 people took part in five workshops concentrated on Team Focus: Building the Framework, Evangelism, Children and Young People, Advocacy and World Church. People appreciated the opportunity to engage with the issues and to meet members of the Connexional Team (‘live and kicking’ as one person described it). The comments made and questions raised will feed into the continued thinking on the future shape of the Connexional Team. For more details of the workshops click here. upd8(Summer 2006)

6. The twelve projects cover: • Evangelism and speaking of God and faith in ways that make sense to all involved • Re-visiting Team support for local church, circuit and district ministries • Re-visioning work with children and young people • The work of public issues staff, MRDF, World Action and Mission Education, • with a view to improving advocacy and communication • Improving communication between the whole Team and the whole Church • A re-configuration of World Church partnerships • The relationship between mph and the Team • The working arrangements between TMCP and the Team • Conversations with ecumenical partners • Developing a twenty-first century approach to education issues • Improving the budget-making process, including a fresh look at accountability • Putting all grant-making in one ‘place’ upd8(Summer 2006)

7. Project 3:Re-visioning work with children and young people What do children and young people want from the Methodist Church and how can the Church improve its work in this area? The Future Present consultation, which runs until the end of November, aims to discover this by asking children, young people, parents, youth workers and even older people to contribute. Jonathan Kerry, part of the Project Management Group said, ‘We currently work with 168,000 under-18s in church groups and many more who are not part of these groups. We need to make sure we are doing all we can for these young people, as well as those we don’t reach at the moment.’ The consultation invites people to think about what the Church does for young people, and also why. ‘It is all too easy to think adults know best,’ says Jonathan, ‘but this often isn’t true. Young people have a lot of ideas and energy, and we have to include that in what we do.’ To read the Future Present consultation document click here. To find out more information, e-mailWilliam Swires. upd8(Summer 2006)

8. Project 7:The relationship between mph and the Connexional Team The report from this project went to Conference (as Appendix 4 of the Connexional Team report, pages 292-296). To read it in full click here. The report was approved and now needs to be implemented. upd8(Summer 2006)

9. Prayers for the Connexional Team At one of the Conference Workshops participants were invited to write down their prayers for the Connexional Team. Click here to see some of them. their immense workload in this moment of change. for all staff in this period of uncertainty for wisdom and God’s direction being clear We pray for the Connexional Team and for vision – prophecy and communication for those who may be made redundant for discernment for those responsible for managing change understanding from the Methodist people for those in the ‘turmoil’ that will have to happen that the Team designed is the one God wants To read all the prayers offered click here upd8(Summer 2006)

10. Policy Support and Research Unit 7th floor, Methodist Church House 25 Marylebone Road London NW1 5JR Tel: 020 7467 5149 E-mail: psru@methodistchurch.org.uk To e-mail a particular member of the PRSU click on their name. Luke CurranJohn EllisKen Kingston John NelsonAnne ToppingWilliam Swires upd8(Summer 2006)