Setting up a project

1. Initial request

Any rural parish council may request that the bishop consider their parish for participation in the Anglican Rural Community Development Project. The bishop will appoint a mission support officer and the Diocesan Director of Ministry to

  • Ensure that the parish council, membership and community are aware of the structure of the project and are committed to the aims of the project
  • Define the specific aims of the project for the particular parish.
  • Negotiate an initial pattern of liturgical and pastoral ministry that will allow the project to develop in the parish
  • Advise the bishop on the suitability of the parish for the project and the terms and conditions under which they may enter the project

2. Terms and conditions

The parish council will consider the terms and conditions of project participation. If the decision is made to become a project parish, the parish will request that the bishop appoint a project priest.

3. The project priest

The project priest will work with the parish council to

  • Establish an appropriate pattern of liturgical and pastoral ministry
  • Establish within two months the priorities of the project
  • Appoint an ARC project team

4. Project establishment

  • Begin work on the five initial tasks
  • Plan together a way to achieve the project priorities