Way Forward working groups get started

The eight Way Forward working groups appointed by the General Church Board and College of Bishops have been inducted and have commenced their tasks. As subject matter experts, they will support the project management team in coordinating the ordination Way Forward response.

‘We have experienced excellent engagement from all the working groups during the onboarding sessions. The members are excited to join the project and are ready to contribute’, said Tim Niewand, project manager. ‘Some members also called me afterwards to comment on how they appreciated the induction and the open forum.’

Over the past few weeks, the final appointments to the working groups have been made: Rev Dale Gosden to Theological Requirements, and Neil Bergmann to Synod Agenda and Outcomes Planning.

Working group members were appointed to represent diverse views and from a broad range of backgrounds. There is a vast physical distance between members as well, and meetings of the working groups are being held online to accommodate this. In their initial meetings the groups are exploring the scope of their assignments and agreeing on initial deliverables.

‘The LCANZ is blessed to have so many skilled, knowledgeable and wise members’, project team member Tony Vong said. ‘Even at this early stage of the project, we’d like to express our sincere thanks to the working group chairs and members for their wisdom, active leadership, engagement and contributions.’

Pastoral Care working group chair Gary Jewson described being part of the Way Forward project and serving with those on his team as a ‘privilege’.

‘What a privilege it is to be part of the Pastoral Care team and to work with such an experienced and talented group of people’, he said. ‘We certainly have a lot of work to do and are already working hard. Please pray for all the working groups and the project management team.’

Reference group appointed

Assisting the project team is a three-person reference group – outgoing SA-NT Bishop David Altus, Shiron Dixon and Timothy Pietsch – who collectively bring broad theological, pastoral, governance and operational experience and expertise to the Way Forward project.

Their primary role is to provide advice and guidance to the project team on churchwide processes, emerging issues and conflict resolution. They will also work with the project management team and the working groups to develop the evaluation to guide the selection of a model for the way forward.

Call for models

There has been ‘an overwhelming response’ to the call for models, which was issued to the church on 2 June. ‘Even in the first week, multiple submissions were received every day, which is encouraging’, said Tim Niewand. Responses range from short, succinct statements to detailed papers with references, and there have been some submissions that are also messages of support and encouragement.

Tim reminds members of the church to provide their suggestions for a model for the way forward by the closing date, 26 June to ensure their inputs are considered. Click here for more information about the call for models.