Ministers Looking to Come to the District in 2012

Plymouth and Exeter District is the best place in the country for raising children. According to a recent survey three of the top six 'best places to bring up children' are in this district.

Top was Winkleigh in the West Devon circuit. Second was South Petherton in the South Petherton and Crewkerne circuit, sixth was Shebbear in the Bideford and Shebbear circuit, home of Methodist school, Shebbear College.

We have vacancies in all three circuits! (two left!)

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/to-raise-children-winkleighs-the-winner-2360905.html

District Priorities

The district has agreed three priorities....

• DISCIPLESHIP:- which we believe is best done in small groups.  The development of small groups, classes, cells or whatever you want to call them - with an evangelistic edge.  This might best be described as small groups which live these values:

Jesus at the centre

Church is a community of openness and honesty marked by sacrificial love

Every member growing

Every member ministering

Every member witnessing well 

• MINISTRY:- The development of such small groups needs us to develop leaders,  some will be Class Leaders, some Local Preachers, some Ministers.  We are looking to develop a pastor (or pastoral team) in every church.  We want people called to be Local Preachers to be able to complete their studies with adequate support and in a reasonable time.  We want to develop ordained ministry which is both itinerant and non-itinerant, stipendiary and non-stipendiary and the means to train people in their context.

• EVANGELISM:- we need to renew our confidence in God and his message, to become Good News.  We need to look at the places we have withdrawn from and seek to establish fresh expressions of church in those places where there is a need.  The district supports Venture FX projects and has two Venture FX Pioneers working with us.  We need to act ecumenically where this is the best way of reaching those who do not know Jesus.

Circuit Maps

You can find a map of each circuit by following the link 'Circuits' on the banner at the top of this page.  Follow the link to any circuit and you will then find a link to a Google map of the circuit.

Manses

District Policy is that we will support circuits in ensuring that every manse is up to full CPD standards.  We expect ministers to respond by being good stewards of their accommodation and when leaving to leave manses in the state they would expect to find them.  We encourage the fitting of solar water heating where appropriate, especially in rural areas with no gas supply.  we are exploring how ministers might respond to the fitting of Solar p-v.

Safeguarding

We believe that it is in God's purposes that every human being should be able to become all they can be, all God intends them to be.  The Church needs to be a safe environment for this and therefore we put a strong emphasis on safeguarding all who might be denied this opportunity.  We expect all ministers and as many lay people as possible to seek to maintain the highest standards in safeguarding practice.  we see this as an integral part of our Christian discipleship.

Continuing Development in Ministry

We expect ministers to be disciples and thus learners.  In partnership with circuits we support ministers who wish to learn more by further study.  The district runs an annual 'refresher' for ministers and lay workers in partnership with the Cornwall District.

Ministerial Development Review

We encourage ministers to seek MDR.  Alongside MDR we encourage Circuits to seek regular Circuit Reviews.  We will work with circuits to identify resources for further ministerial development related to matters revealed in a MDR.

Leisure activities

The finest beaches in Britain.  Strong surfing communities.  Fine moorland in Exmoor and the highest point in England south of the Pennines on Dartmoor.  The Jurassic east Devon coast .  Fine food - a Devonian pasty recently won a competition for best pie agaisnt those from Cornwall!