Horizons 2015
We affirm that our diocesan priorities are…
roclamation
By 2015, in response to the call to proclaim the Good News and make disciples of all nations, the diocese will grow its average worship attendance by 10 percent.
Example: Organize a welcoming program to incorporate new members in every congregation.
vangelism
By 2015, the diocese will have equipped every member of the diocese to express his or her faith story by words and actions.
Example: Find means to tell our story using such methods as Public Narrative training.
ction
By 2015, the diocese will be an agent for transformational change in the State of Maryland and local communities and be recognized as such.
Example: Identify and train key strategic leadership throughout the diocese to enable our social service agencies to reach parishes and multiply effectiveness.
hristian formation
By 2015, every congregation will have 40 percent of worship attendees of all ages participating in a Christian formation program.
Example: Train and equip at least one lay member from each congregation to lead Christian formation in that congregation.
ducation
By 2015, provide every region in the diocese training and strategies for advocating for the poor in education.
Example: Establish a diocesan school targeting at-risk children.
In our efforts to fulfill the mission and ministry articulated in these priorities, we will…
- Build in benchmarks and accountability to measure progress towards the task.
- Include youth and young adults as integral parts of the decision-making process at all levels surrounding the tasks.
- Develop methods of communication using available technology to link local members to diocesan tasks.
- Raise up and train leaders to direct the tasks.
- Develop funding sources and budgets to support the tasks.
- Use existing diocesan resources (e.g., Claggett Center, Cathedral, Diocesan Center) to support task development.
- Be mindful of diversity at all levels, including ethnicity, geography, etc…
Affirmed by Diocesan Counvention, May 1, 2010
Download a prinable version of these priorities (PDF)
About Horizons 2015...
At the 225th Diocesan Convention of the Diocese of Maryland in 2009, the Rt. Rev. Eugene Taylor Sutton said in his convention address, “I call for us to dream big dreams, and then discern which of those dreams we will choose to direct the bulk of our energies and resources. …we will take special care to return to and draw upon our diocesan history and traditions… Our ancestors are going to point the way for our future.”
Bishop Sutton called on every congregation and organization to name a Horizons lay representative to be a part of a year-long Horizons Gathering discernment process. These five mission priorities are the result of this process.
Learn more about Horizons 2015