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January 2001
A Listening Bishop
Since the early days of his episcopate, Bishop Croneberger has
committed himself to a "listening" process. When questioned,
he acknowledged that as the middle child in a family of five
children, "Well, yes, I guess I did do a lot of listening."
But a great deal more than habit animates the Bishop when he
enthusiastically describes his goal. His real impetus for this
year-long study, the gathering of information from all persons
and groups within the diocese, is based much more deeply: "I
believe a person can be a good leader by encouraging the gifts
and skills of others. You can only hear other voices when you're
not speaking yourself."
The Bishop is keenly aware that the diocese is at a different
time in its history from 25 years ago, when the Rt. Rev. John
Spong brought his singular talents to Newark. With this conviction,
Croneberger seeks to take stock "of what we do well and
discern what we want to do next." To assist in this effort,
an outside consultant, Helen Spector, and a Design Team of 42
members from the diocese, were chosen to plan a "Visioning
Convocation." Highly experienced in such work, Spector
has consulted with a number of other dioceses and with the national
church office in New York. At the Convocation, January 26-27,
all persons in the diocese will be represented to answer Spector's
initial question:
What is the work of the Diocese of Newark?
Each of you has had oportunity to participate in this planning,
either directly in your congregation, in a dio-cesan group with
which you're associated, or by sending in your individual questionnaire
printed in the Nov. VOICE. The specific method recommended by
Spector, Appreciative Inquiry-really a philosophical way of
effecting change-focuses on things that are working well and
seeks to expand them. A far more positive approach to change
than facing and diagnosing a problem, Appreciative Inquiry permits
the concentration of energy on what already seems to be working.
What do we do when we're at our best?
With input from the entire diocesan family, the Convocation
will attempt to decide who we are and what we hold sacred. Further,
we'll choose what life situations require our utmost energy
to carry out the mission of the church as faithful witnesses
to our baptismal covenant. The weekend will intentionally be
structured around the questions as stated in the covenant:
Will you continue in the apostles' teaching and fellowship,
in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers?
Will you persevere in resisting evil, and, whenever you fall
into sin, repent and return to the Lord?
Will you proclaim by work and example the Good News of God in
Christ?
Will you seek to serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor
as yourself?
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people and respect
the dignity of every human being?
Once the 850 participants reflect on and ponder these questions,
and use the data from each diocesan member as submitted- here
Bishop Croneberger's smile glows with anticipation-"I'm
optimistic that energy will be generated to decide on the diocese's
priorities, its vision, and direction to move this ministry
ahead."
-Mabel Allen is a member of Atonement, Tenafly, and editor
of The VOICE. |
