Hard Truth # 10: We have failed our clergy

10. Our senior ministers are first class people who we have failed to prepare properly for the mission situation we place them in.

You may have heard of the “three-thirds rule”?

When applied to the Sydney Anglican diocese it goes something like: one third of churches are thriving, growing, moving forward; one third are solid, going okay, but static; the final third are struggling, declining, going backwards.

I had the privilege in 2008/09 to attend the two-day “residentials” at Bishopcourt (the now famous “PJs at PJ’s”) attended by (virtually) all of the rectors in the diocese. And I have to say that I came away from every one of those tremendously encouraged.

Having heard the thirds theory, I guess I half expected to meet: one third of brilliant guys; one third of good solid, ordinary fellas; and one third of no-hopers.

Well, that wasn’t the case. And I have to say, having spent some time with them talking about mission, we really do have a fantastic bunch of senior ministers in this diocese. I met men who are passionate and prayerful about the gospel of Jesus, who long for the lost to have a saving knowledge of Him.

Of course, we only sat round a table and talked and prayed about mission. I could not judge their skills and abilities to actually do the things we discussed. Nevertheless, I am confident in saying that the thirds rule – even if it is true – most certainly does not translate simply into: a third of our senior ministers are brilliant, a third are okay, and a third are hopeless.

There are many factors other than the minister that influence how a church is doing: demographics of the suburb is huge, but also the history of the parish, other staff, lay leaders, the building, geography etc. That said, the leader is certainly a crucial factor, especially in our system of church governance. So let’s stick with this one aspect for the moment.

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