Congregational Vitality & Support

The Bishop and Staff of The Diocese of New Jersey support our 137 congregations in various ways. From parishes experiencing health, growth, and energy to parishes needing help, in transition, or in crisis, we come alongside them in varied ways, offering hope, resources, and a wide range of support.

Congregational vitality is measured by many a yardstick, but has to do with the balance of discipleship, spiritual growth, engagement in and response to God’s mission, leadership and healthy relationships, awareness of context and inclusion, vision and focus on community, adaptability, and lives transformed by living the Gospel in the world today. Strengthening and building congregations in a vast array of contexts and valuing individual parish identities and unique gifts bring life and vibrancy to all. Our Bishop, Canon for Congregational Vitality & Engagement, and other staff work in many ways with clergy, vestries, and congregations on vision work, missional engagement, developing adaptability and sustainability, mutual ministry reviews, new ventures, and much more. We strive to equip and connect parishes with resources and goals for success.

Mutual Ministry Reviews

The Diocese of New Jersey believes that clergy are not solely responsible for the work and visioning of a congregation, but that it is a shared ministry and a vital responsibility. Our mission and ministry are carried out by many different people, including the clergy, congregation, and lay leaders. When we work together, the movement of the Holy Spirit is felt by all and energizes us for our various callings in a world that is in great need. The Mutual Ministry Review (MMR) is usually done at 12 to 18 months of a priest’s tenure at a church. Similarly, a 90-day Ministry Covenant workshop can be had early on to keep track of progress and check into the relationship between clergy and their leadership.

90-Day Ministry Covenant

The 90-day Ministry Covenant workshop is scheduled to review a cleric’s LOA with the vestry. It can be a helpful check-in to see how the relationship of a new priest and vestry is evolving and growing together in service to Christ.

Vestry Workshops and/or Retreats

Are you feeling stagnant or stuck as a vestry? Did you just succeed with financial things enough to charge into a new ministry? Is your church super tiny and struggling to balance everything that’s going on and you want a refreshing spiritual retreat? Do you seek to revitalize your community engagement? How about new hyper-local outreach, is what you are doing best suited to your resources and skill sets? Does your church want to explore increasing communications, growing a particular program, or trying out a new ministry? Does your vestry need a refresher or review of Vestry 101-type essentials? (Well, get ready! Our diocese will provide three annual Vestry 101 Workshops via ZOOM and will cover essentials and resources.)

For various retreats and workshops, contact Canon Caroline Carson and discuss your ideas and needs. She can also put you in touch with other diocesan staff for various needs, depending on the workshop area. As Canon for Congregational Vitality and Engagement, she consults with clergy and congregations about issues of vitality and health, leadership development for clergy and laity, discipleship, evangelism, community engagement (local and global) and ministry visioning initiatives. Workshops and retreats can be offered at a wide variety of times.

RESOURCES