The role of the Enabler
The role of an Enabler is a demanding one, according to James Collins.
In Enabler Supported Ministry the role of the stipendiary minister shifts from that of being the primary leader of the church who does the bulk of the ministry for and to the people, to one that enables the development of local leaders and the ministry of the whole congregation.
In this way of being church the ministry development task involves not only the education and training of the Local Ministry Support Team members and authorised local lay ministers but also of the entire congregation for adult Christian responsibility in the church and world.
The role of the Enabler will be significantly different from that of the resident parish Rector. They will be responsible for the oversight of several parishes embracing a number of worship centres, congregations and communities.
They will not be:
- the dispenser of Sacraments who travels at great speed from church to church every Sunday
- the parish administrator
- the key decision-maker without whom nothing happens
- the only preacher and minister of the Word
- the pastoral worker and counsellor regularly visiting and caring for the faithful
- the church's outreach worker, evangelist and community minister
- the one who disciples new Christians
- the performer of the rites of passage.
Instead they will be:
- a facilitator of ministry and mission
- one who trains the laity for the work of ministry, helping to establish a pattern of every member ministry
- the developer of parish leaders and Local Ministry Support Teams
- a motivator and encourager of local community outreach to the wider community enabling local leaders to mobilise the congregation for mission
- a consultant who helps parishes evaluate mission strategies and develop plans
- one who networks parishes together, encouraging a sharing of resources and building a sense of solidarity and common purpose
- someone with the skills of conflict resolution.
The role of an Enabler is a demanding one.
We shall need people of vision and prayer, people able to work creatively and freely within a new framework and pattern of ministry. They will need to have a thorough grasp of collaborative ways of working. They will have the ability to motivate and inspire people and be skilled in the management of change and conflict situations. They will be someone used to working in partnership with others.