THE STAKEHOLDERS' CONFERENCE PLANNING GROUP    
 
 2004
 
PROPOSED DELIVERANCE
 
Receive the Report
REPORT
 
We are aware that the name Stakeholders' Conference has been a source of some puzzlement and misunderstanding for those trying to grasp its meaning and function. In truth, it sounds like a 'buzz word'  from a political manifesto, and it is perhaps understandable why some  have questioned  how it fits into the thinking behind the Church Without Walls report. 
      In reality, it was nothing more than a working title.  However, the concept behind this working title has always been integral to the Report of the Special Commission anent, Review and Reform, namely the need for the Church to practice accountability, reflection and celebration. 
      The Commission explored at some length how to encourage the Church to carry through the many recommendations which resulted from its deliberations. This could quite easily be overlooked when reading the 2001 Church without Walls Report. Some have criticised the report for its lack of an implementation plan. However, the final conclusion was, rightly or wrongly, that the agents for change were already in place within the Church and it was up to Kirk Sessions to make the relevant decisions for change. Effective change comes from the bottom up, not top down.  The renewal of the Church will start within local congregations.
      Embodied in the CWW report was one key deliverance that sought to bring the whole Church to a place of accountability, reflection and celebration, namely: 
 
"Resolve to appoint a planning group of seven persons.... to prepare a "Stakeholders      Conference" in 2005 as a point of National Celebration and a milestone of progress".
 
The Church in conference was to mark a milestone of faith.  The term 'Stakeholders' was being used to describe the important process of taking a stock check to ensure that everyone has had their say. It should be an opportunity for the whole Church to stop and reflect on the course that has been charted by the Church Without Walls Report and to ask how well we are doing.  
      It is our intention now to replace the name 'Stakeholders Conference' with a call to action and celebration entitled:  "Church Without Walls 2005 - FOLLOW ME! " We believe this is in keeping with the spirit of CWW.   For many congregations, following Jesus has meant a long, hard and painful struggle, yet the call invites us to the place of prayer reflection, thankfulness and resurrection.
      Most people would agree that the CWW report in 2001 grabbed the imagination of the Church. The key phrase that is often used to describe the report is that "it has given permission to think outside the box."
      It has, we hope, inspired many people and congregations within the family of the Church of Scotland, and others outside that family, to move ahead and do things that may appear to be insignificant in themselves, but in reality have changed the mindset and perception of a worshipping congregation. We also recognise that some have not, as yet, made the connection while others have used the title of the report as a slogan rather than a starting point for discipleship.
      The members of the Special Commission who wrote the report felt it was essential for the Church to have the opportunity a few years later to celebrate in faith the new beginnings which CWW would nurture. In addition, they recognised this would be an opportunity once again to highlight the four great themes of the report and, in doing so, perhaps rekindle the vision that produced the questions;
 
a.        What does it mean to be a Church shaped by the Gospel?
b.        What does it mean to recognise that congregations are shaped in many ways by the locality of our people and buildings?
c.        What does it mean to be a Church shaped by friendship which is at the heart of authentic outreach across the generations?
d.        What does it mean to be a Church shaped by the Gifts of the Holy Spirit?
 
      In 2005 it is our hope that a season of reflection will be established allowing the whole Church, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, to participate in a process of stock-taking with these questions in mind. 
      To quote from last year's report, "We hope we can create an environment in which we can hear each others stories about renewal and reform and that these stories can inform the Church, from local congregation to Board in a way that we can discern where the Spirit is leading us" 
      We believe this is a biblical principle. Taking stock is not dissimilar to pruning. In John chapter 15, Jesus speaks of the importance of the branches being cut back, not in order that they wither and die, but in order that they might leave room for the new fruit to blossom. 
      In Colossians Chapter 2.7 Paul writes, "Since you have received Christ Jesus as Lord remain rooted in him,  then you will become stronger in your faith, and be overflowing with thankfulness".  The past few years have seen a fair bit of pruning in the life and structure of the Church at all levels, and no doubt there is more to come. Yet, despite their painful experiences, many believe that they have remained rooted to the vine and that fruit will result. 
      How we deal with pain and celebration will depend on our mindset. We believe we need to celebrate the Church mindset that seeks to be shaped by the gospel of resurrection and hope; living Christ-like in locality, living truth through trusting friendships and growing in grace and humility through the Gifts of the Holy Spirit. Above all we need to leave room for the Church to move to the place of discipleship through acts of reflection, action and celebration.
      "Church Without Walls 2005 - Follow Me!" will seek to encourage this reflection, action and celebration on three levels, locally, regionally, and nationally.
      The Planning Group have identified representatives from almost all Presbyteries and are in the process of helping to establish locally driven initiatives.  To help and encourage those who will be planning events, advice and financial support is available.  Details of grants and criteria will be published from September 2004 onwards
      At a regional level we are indebted to the cluster of Forth Presbyteries who have together modelled and pioneered a regional response which can be taken up by others and adapted to suit their own localities. 
      At a local level we hope that every congregation in the land will reflect on the work of their congregation and celebrate the pain and the success of their ministries. Sunday 21 November 2005 has been suggested as an appropriate time when congregations might ecumenically respond to the vision of a Church Without Walls.  Material will be prepared to enable congregations to produce and develop a local celebration and reflection that is appropriate to their circumstances.
      Finally, are grateful to the Board of Practice and Procedure for their support and advice in planning the National Celebration.  Following on from the General Assembly 2005 we hope the whole Church will participate in a national day of reflection action and celebration on Saturday 28 May 2005.    Every congregation will be invited to send a representative to a day in which we once again listen and reflect and celebrate with all ages the call of Jesus - Follow Me!
 
In the name of the Committee
 
ALBERT O BOGLE, Convener
SUSAN M BROWN, Vice-Convener