There are seven stages to becoming a Total Ministry congregation. The details of each stage may look different depending on how your diocese has implemented Total Ministry.
The leadership of the congregation, typically the vestry or bishop's committee and the priest joined with that congregation, determines that they want to consider becoming a Total Ministry congregation. The leadership would typically be the vestry or bishop's committee and the priest joined with that congregation. The vestry as representatives of the congregation may enter into a covenant with the diocese or bishop as to their intention to explore Total Ministry.
Often a facilitator or mentor will be assigned to the congregation to assist them in the next stages. This facilitator may also serve as a liaison with the diocese or other context within which the congregation is considering Total Ministry. The facilitator or mentor may meet with the diocesan representative, the priest joined with the congregation, and some of the lay leadership of the congregation to evaluate the congregation's strengths and weaknesses. This permits tailoring of the Exploration stage to the congregation.
The congregation explores together what it means to be a Total Ministry congregation. This assists members to identify their gifts and callings. In addition, it prepares them as a community to assume responsibility for their ministries in the context of church and community. The facilitator will typically help the congregation progress through the study process.
The following areas are examples of topics that might be covered during this stage:
After gaining an understanding of what becoming a Total Ministry congregation would look and feel like, the congregation with its vestry and priest needs to make a decision. Are they called to become a Total Ministry congregation? If the answer is yes, the congregation may enter into a new covenant with the diocese or bishop as to their intention to call a ministry team.
If the answer is no, the time is probably not right to move into being a Total Ministry congregation. However, it is important to remember that the congregation may be called to Total Ministry in the future. They should remain open to that possibility and not say, "We tried Total Ministry and it didn't work."
Once the decision has been made to move forward to becoming a Total Ministry congregation, a ministry team needs to be called. The membership of the ministry team in terms of functions is determined using one of the ministry team models presented on this website or the model used by the diocese, tailored to meet the needs of the individual congregation.
Then the congregation with the priest and diocesan representative proposes members of the congregation to be on the ministry team. This selection is based on their gifts, recognized and acknowledged during the previous Explore stage. The focus is on "are they called?" not "will they volunteer?" Potential team members are approached and respond yes or no. Once the ministry team is selected, they may be presented to the congregation.
A ministry team has been selected based on their calling and gifts. However, most of them haven't worked on spiritual formation as members of a ministry team for a Total Ministry congregation. In addition, there are usually areas where further experience and education are needed. Topics to be addressed might include the following.
Once the ministry team has completed its team formation and study, the readiness of the team to formally take on ministry team responsibilities is assessed. Assessment may be accomplished by the diocesan Commission on Ministry or some other group not directly associated with the congregation and its journey towards Total Ministry. Assessment addresses whether the team member has completed the education and spiritual formation necessary for their position on the ministry team and whether they meet canonical and other training requirements. For example, preachers, priests, and catechists are covered by canonical requirements. A team member focusing on pastoral care might be required to take training specific to that role. This assessment is usually performed on-site in the context of the congregation who has called the ministry team.
Also important is continuing education for the ministry team. Based on assessment of the current training, continuing education can be tailored to meet the ongoing needs of each ministry team member.
The ministry team has completed its training and formation and is ready to serve the congregation that called them. The congregation with the bishop or other representative of the diocese or larger church commissions the ministry team. This may include the ordination of persons called to be priests rather than lay persons.
The congregation is now considered a full-fledged Total Ministry congregation. It is served by a ministry team and a priest who is a ministry developer or missioner. The gifts God has placed in its midst are exercised in service to God, the church, and the world. The congregation provides a context for its members to live as ministers, fulfilling their baptismal calling.