Introduction
The Mission Implementation Team 2005 respectfully submits this report to the Diocesan Council for faithful consideration.
We have taken seriously our charge to discern how The Episcopal Diocese of North Carolina can best implement our Missionary Strategy, making disciples who will make a difference in the world. These recommendations are the product of monthly meetings of the whole MIT, as well as many meetings of subcommittees. Information was gleaned from diocesan-wide surveys and conversations with diocesan leaders and staff people, outside experts and representatives of dioceses of similar size. Though recommendations are listed according to their subcommittee of origin, each one was studied, discussed and approved by the whole MIT.
Because of the breadth and depth of the recommendations we offer, we suggest that they be studied and implemented in phases, with Phase I to be implemented in 2006, Phase II between 2007 and 2011, and Phase III in 2012 and beyond. We also strongly encourage Council to focus solely on Phase 1 recommendations in the remaining months of this year, and to delay deliberation and decision-making on Phases 2 and 3 until the first quarter of 2006, using the February 2006 retreat to study the final two phases in depth.
Whatever the Council decides about the timing of its discernment process, we urge Council to make public the entire MIT document, as submitted, by the time of Diocesan Convention.
It has been an honor to be included in a visioning process that we hope will increase ministry in the Diocese and the world. Thank you for this opportunity, and please call on us, as we are needed, to assist you in understanding our work, now given to you in the spirit of Christ's call to us all.
Submitted and signed, on behalf of the Mission Implementation Team 2005,
The Rev. Lisa G. Fischbeck, Chair
November 3, 2005
