Many people have asked questions about the various ministries of the Diocese of El Camino Real.  Today's Did you know....? is the second in a series of updates answering some of those questions. 

 

Did you know....?

 

Did you know that the Rev. Britt Olson, the Diocese's new Canon for Evangelism and Congregational Growth: 

 

·         Works with congregations (and their lay and clergy leadership) to provide resources, ideas and consultation for evangelism, stewardship, newcomer incorporation and congregational health and development?

 

·         Works with mission congregations and DIEM to develop, fund, supervise and support ministry and outreach in new geographical and cultural areas?

 

·         Assists congregations in clergy leadership transition by working with vestries, transition and search committees to discern the direction of future ministry, call excellent new leaders, and engage in professional practices around deployment?

 

·         Works with individual clergy in the discernment process around employment?

 

·         Engages in collaborative ministry with a variety of diocesan bodies and committees to provide vision, resources, ideas and connection with the goal of building up the body of Christ in the Diocese of El Camino Real?

 

·         Regularly worships, preaches and/or presides at every congregation in the diocese?

 

·         Attends congregational, diocesan and national events, as a representative of the diocese?

 

Did you know that Britt Olson is committed to:

 

Strengthening leadership: Britt writes, "Every baptized member of Christ’s body is called into mission and ministry.  Each one is gifted and called into unique and specific arenas where their skills and the world's greatest needs meet.  To meet our goals we must identify, recruit, train and equip leaders who will be faithful, available and teachable.  I am working with leadership teams in congregations and with clergy through the deployment process to reach these goals."

 

Engaging our mission: Britt writes, "We are made for meaning and purpose.  Each Christian and every congregation has resources, gifts and skills to share.  Through evangelism workshops for both congregations and deaneries, we will be better able to engage our mission."

 

Congregational Development: Britt writes, "The diocese connects congregations with resources, training and leadership for meeting their mission goals.  We are working to provide conferences/gatherings in the area of stewardship, vitalization and education to equip our members for the work they are called to do.  By identifying and applying the 'best practices' for ministry our congregations will grow in both numbers and depth.  We are to be relentless learners, improving our effectiveness through mutual ministry review and honest assessment of congregational data."

 

Collaborative Ministry: Britt writes, "By partnering with one another we will better be able to meet shared goals.  We will strengthen the bonds of love and unity by honestly facing those issues that divide us and working towards healing.  This process has been established through a variety of diocesan gatherings and will continue with initiatives to provide safe-church and anti-racism training along with developing procedures for our common life.  We are to create a culture of safety and security with one another so that we can risk reaching out with radical faith, hope and love."

 

If you have a need in - or questions about - any of the above areas, please contact the Rev. Britt Olson, Canon for Evangelism and Congregational Development, at britt@edecr.org. 

 

Our next "Did you know....?" will answer questions about the Ordination Process and the work of the Commission on Ministry.