Exeter Circuit Strategy

Adopted by Exeter Circuit meeting, June 2005

Rather than setting firm goals with a timescale,
this document offers a direction in which we might travel,
and therefore comprises 5 signposts.

1. Mission: We aim to be a Circuit whose priorities are focused on Christ’s mission

1.1 We shall concentrate resources where:

· there is growth;

· the immediate potential for growth;

· churches are offering an effective Christian presence in their communities

1.2 We shall continue to value the faithful mission and ministry of all the churches in the Circuit

1.3 We are committed to maintaining our present establishment of 5 full-time presbyters

1.4 We shall encourage the use of ministers’ ‘working agreements’ as opportunities to review priorities within sections

1.5 We shall review, at a Circuit level, where resources are concentrated at regular intervals

2. Worship: We aim to be a Circuit where worship is central, varied, engaging and relevant

2.1 We shall use Presbyters/Deacons and Local Preachers effectively in the light of our mission priorities

2.2 We shall encourage our local congregations in developing their own gifts in worship, and in working more closely with preachers in providing a rich worshipping life

2.3 We shall encourage the appropriate use of new technologies in worship

2.4 We shall keep under review the number of acts of worship on the plan and the availability of preachers

3. Wider Church: We aim to be a Circuit which is committed to and celebrates belonging to the wider body of Christ

3.1 We recognise our responsibility and commitment to the Methodist connexion and to the worldwide Church

3.2 We recognise the importance of developing ecumenically, both as an expression of the Christian gospel and as a missionary imperative

3.3 We shall fully support churches working to deepen their ecumenical relationships, and shall resource and encourage them

3.4 We shall encourage the sharing of resources ecumenically

3.5 We shall keep in view the tension between belonging to a Circuit and being committed to local ecumenism

3.6 We delight in the growing cultural and racial breadth within our congregations, and shall seek to increase the integration of people from different backgrounds within the life of the Circuit

4. Mutual Support: We aim to be a Circuit where the principle of the strong supporting the weak is lived out

4.1 We shall encourage formal and informal links between churches for mutual support and encouragement, but primarily in enabling more effective mission

4.2 We shall not seek to close a chapel simply because it is struggling

5. Engagement with society: We aim to be a Circuit where matters of faith are related to the modern world

5.1 We shall promote issues relating to Trade Justice and international debt and poverty at Circuit level, and encourage local churches to engage with them

5.2 We shall consider issues relating to contemporary society

5.3 We shall encourage local churches to consider their ‘environmental friendliness’

5.4 We recognise the importance of the University chaplaincy within the life of the Circuit and would consider other chaplaincies, should the possibility arise

5.5 We will support community development especially among the most deprived

This strategy will be reviewed annually

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