The Diocese of Central Florida has been awarded a $15,000 Reflective Practices for Project Sustainability grant through Leadership Education at Duke Divinity, an initiative funded by the Lilly Endowment Inc. In December of 2020, the Diocese of Central Florida was awarded a $1 million Thriving in Ministry grant. The majority of the Thriving in Ministry grant was used to create the diocesan Residency Program and to assist deans in developing training and outreach programs at the deanery level.
Two years into the Thriving in Ministry projects, representatives of Leadership Education believe diocesan leaders are at a pivotal moment to reflect on what has been accomplished, what is changing and which aspects of each project are stable.
“The Reflective Practices for Project Sustainability Grant at Leadership Education at Duke Divinity recognizes and supports the faithful and innovative work of lay and ordained Christian leaders who find themselves at a pivotal moment in their ministry project,” said The Rev. Mycal Brickhouse, managing director of grants at Leadership Education at Duke University. “Using Harvard professor Ron Heifetz’s language, we want to help leaders experience ‘balcony time,’ which allows them to move from the dance floor to the balcony to gain a broader picture of the work, organization, community and trends.”
The Rev. Canon Dr. Justin S. Holcomb, canon for vocations and writer of the grant proposals, is planning two retreats in early 2023 for diocesan leaders to spend time intentionally reflecting on the Thriving in Ministry projects the diocese has undertaken. The two retreats – one for deanery initiatives and the other for the Residency Program – will allow participants to take the “balcony view” and dream about possibilities for the future. The bishop-elect will also be invited to participate in these retreats.
During a two-night retreat, deans and their spouses will spend time in group fellowship and collective brainstorming to review the training and outreach initiatives in each deanery. This retreat will enable the deans to collaborate on ways to support clergy through the transition of a new bishop and consider new and creative ways to enhance ministry, pastoral care, missions, outreach and clergy health on a deanery level.
The Residency Retreat, also held over two nights, will consist of residency coordinators, residents and each of their spouses. The coordinators will have time to reflect with their colleagues on their experiences and will review what has worked and what can be improved. Residents will also consider the strengths of the program as well as aspects of the residency that could be modified to better serve future residents.
In a time of significant diocesan transition, assessing and reflecting from a balcony view is essential. These retreats will allow participants to broaden their perspectives and address the opportunities and challenges in the next phase of ministry in a rapidly changing world.