Implementing the Ten Theses

Engagement on social media with my last post has been interesting to read. I’ve been particularly struck by how the Ten Theses for Renewal seem to get behind the usual Anglican divisions (Catholic vs Evangelical and Trad vs Progressive), which gives me some hope that we can actually still work together. And although I had Wales very much in mind when I composed them, they seem to have a resonance in the States and Canada.

Among the appreciative comments, however, I’ve had two main challenges. The first is that the ‘Ten Theses’ don’t directly connect with my original concern about the Church not understanding the importance of morale. The second is that I don’t offer a strategy for how the ‘Ten Theses’ might be implemented. I could say that since I’m just a Canon Theologian and vicar, doing so is above my paygrade…but thinking it through has actually turned out to be a rather fun exercise over my morning coffee. So, if someone were to make me the Grand Poohbah of Church Renewal, I’d begin with something along the following lines:

1. Articulate a Clear Vision (Inspiration & Unity)

• Host a Diocesan Synod or Gathering: Begin with a large-scale event that communicates the ‘Ten Theses’ through share stories, and invites dialogue about them. Use this time to inspire faith and vision by emphasizing the beauty of the Gospel.

• Celebrate the Local Church: Highlight the unique heritage and contributions of parishes through storytelling, videos, or special services that reflect the Church as "Places of Faithful Memory” by telling their long histories of faithfulness.

2. Form Clergy & Lay Leaders (Foundation for Change)

• Leadership Formation: Establish diocesan leadership retreats for clergy and lay leaders focused on spiritual formation, collaborative ministry, and the role of worship, catechesis, and hospitality in building a living Church.

• Training in Shared Ministry: Develop diocesan programmes that equip laity to take active roles in teaching, pastoral care, and community outreach, fostering a sense of shared responsibility and purpose.

3. Emphasize Formation Over Activity (Sustaining Change)

• Simplify and Deepen Local Ministry: Encourage parishes to focus on fewer, high-impact initiatives that align with the Ten Theses. Replace over-programming with intentional time for Scriptural study, prayer, and fellowship.

• Parish Renewal Grants: Offer financial support for parishes to implement formation-centred initiatives, such as small groups, catechesis, or discipleship programmes.

4. Revitalize Worship & Catechesis (Core Practices)

• Reimagine Worship: Provide diocesan workshops on the theology of worship, emphasizing reverence, beauty, and the centrality of God. Encourage liturgical renewal that inspires wonder and joy.

• Catechetical Renewal: Launch a diocesan-wide teaching initiatives based on annual doctrinal themes, such as a ‘Year of Creation’ or a ‘Year of the Incarnation’ with weekly resources, sermons, and parish activities centred on Scripture, doctrine, and Christian living that connect with the themes. For example, a ‘Year of the Resurrection’ could take as its topic ‘New Creation’ and address questions like:

  • If through faith and baptism, we are made new creations, how do we manifest that our ministry and corporate life?

  • How do we create a culture in which Easter joy and hope mark our shared life as signs of God’s victory over death?

  • How do we recapture the urgency of salvation in our work in the world?

  • How does redemption and our vocation to implement the fruits of the Resurrection in anticipation of Christ’s second coming shape our priorities?

5. Cultivate Hospitality & Belonging (Building Relationships)

• Hospitality Campaign: Equip parishes to create welcoming environments, from training greeters to developing long-term support systems for newcomers.

• Parish Community Life: Encourage regular communal meals and spaces for intergenerational connection that deepen relationships and embody the principle of "Conviviality as Mission."

6. Honour Memory & Responsibility (Rooted in Tradition)

• Preserve Historic Churches: Invest in restoring and repurposing inherited spaces, connecting physical renewal with the spiritual formation of the community.

• Storytelling as Formation: Organize parish history projects to celebrate the lives and labours of previous generations, linking them to current and future missions.

7. Embed Local Faithfulness (Grounded Mission)

• Support Community Engagement: Develop partnerships with local organizations to address specific needs, such as homelessness or environmental care, as an expression of rooted faithfulness.

• Local Celebrations: Promote parish involvement in civic life, from hosting town festivals to sponsoring events that reflect the Church’s care for its community.

8. Foster Conviviality & Sustainability (Life Together)

• Encourage Sustainable Living: Promote practices such as community gardens, shared meals, and eco-friendly initiatives, reflecting the Church’s commitment to creation care and neighbourly love.

• Support Parish Life Groups: Form small groups within parishes to build deeper connections and foster a shared sense of mission and belonging.

9. Measure Impact & Share Stories (Encourage and Refine)

• Regular Evaluation: Use surveys, listening sessions, and parish reports to assess how the principles are taking root and to celebrate successes.

• Tell the Story: Share testimonies and stories of transformation across the diocese through newsletters, social media, and diocesan events, inspiring faith and reinforcing a shared sense of purpose.