But what does the LMT do ….?
It is now more than five years since the LMT (Local Ministry Team) at St. Cyr’s was “called out”. New members have joined our church family since then and some may wonder who the team are and just what they do (or are supposed to do!).
The team are Ann Minchin, Colin Wood, Glenys Abbott, Kay Hensley, Val Winder, me (Audrey Ricks) and, of course, Charles, our Priest. We were honoured, and somewhat nervous, at being chosen by the congregation in 2005 and then received training by the Diocesan Local Ministry team before being “commissioned” by the Bishop in April 2007. A team is commissioned for a period of five years at the end of which the “calling out” process is repeated, a new team chosen, trained and commissioned.
So, that’s who we are and how we came to be the team but what do we do? The idea behind Local Ministry is that God calls every person, whether lay or ordained, to take part in His ministry. The job of the team is to encourage and support all members of the church family to take part in the life and witness of the Church. The way that it is actually done varies from parish to parish – the role of a team in a benefice with one priest and a number of churches can be very different from the Stonehouse situation.
The team meets regularly, about once a month, to discuss the forthcoming period, what services and events there will be and who might do what. We also discuss things that have taken place and try to learn how they might be done better in future! We are there to support Charles in his work but also to look for opportunities for everyone else to have openings to use their various skills and talents in the life of the church – a central idea is that God equips the Church with the gifts it needs. Charles doesn’t have all those gifts, neither does the LMT and that is why we come to all of you to seek you out and to ask for the use of your skills as we endeavour to further God’s work in the church and Parish. So, next time one of us asks you personally, or appeals generally, for help for some happening or event, you’ll know that we are not just trying to avoid doing it ourselves, but doing our best to ensure that all the gifts God has given to the people of St. Cyr’s are being fully used.
Sometimes spreading God’s message to all the world seems daunting, but together, we can do it!
Audrey
