Terms of reference
Statutory Provision: Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007
Under Part VI of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007, the Committee is to have regard to worship, mission and community as central to the life and work of the Church of England; financial implications; the need to allocate appropriate spheres of work and to ensure appropriate conditions of service; the traditions, needs and characteristics of particular parishes; and other aspects of the policies of the diocesan synod as requested by the synod. The Diocesan Pastoral and Mission Committee is charged with making or assisting in making better provision for the cure of souls in the diocese as a whole and, to the extent that the Committee thinks appropriate, in particular parts of the diocese or in particular parishes; from time to time to review arrangements for pastoral supervision and care in the diocese or any part of it; to maintain an overview of matters relating to church buildings in the diocese and their use; and to endeavour to find a suitable alternative use for churches which are proposed to be closed or which have been closed for regular public worship.
Diocesan Provision: Resolution of the Diocesan Synod on 8th March 2008
In its advisory role to the Bishop, the Committee shall have particular regard to the following within the terms of reference set out above:
Mission, especially arrangements for pastoral supervision and care and effective mission in the parishes of the diocese;
Deployment, including the development and implementation of a deployment policy in liaison with the Bishop's Staff and deanery pastoral committees;
Styles and structures of ministry, including assessment/accreditation of new forms of ministry as they relate to local congregations and to traditional parish ministry
Membership
Statutory Provision
Schedule 3 of the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 provides for the following membership of the Committee:
i) There shall be a person known as the Chair.
ii) The Bishop, if he wishes, may be a member of the Committee and may also be its Chair;
iii) Unless the Chair is the bishop, the Chair shall be appointed by the Bishop;
iv) All the archdeacons in the diocese shall be members;
v) Appointed or elected members according to diocesan provision, but so that the numbers of members who are of the clergy and of the laity are as nearly as possible the same.
Diocesan Provision: Resolution of the Diocesan Synod 8th March 2008
Chair: The Bishop or his nominee
Ex-officio: The suffragan bishops
The archdeacons
Appointed: one member by and from each of:
Diocesan Board of Finance
Property Committee
Diocesan Advisory Committee
Board for Christian Development
Board for Church and Society
1 or 2 representatives of the ecumenical structures for Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire
1 representative of the Methodist Church
Up to two members appointed by the Bishop
Elected: Six by and from the House of Clergy of the Diocesan Synod: 2 from each Archdeaconry
Six by and from the House of Laity of the Diocesan Synod: 2 from each Archdeaconry
Operation of the Committee
Diocesan Provision: Resolution of the Diocesan Synod on 8th March 2008
i) The quorum of the Committee is eight, including at least four elected members.
ii) The Committee meets at least four times each year.
iii) The Committee may set up working groups in order to achieve particular tasks, at the same time deciding when the group concerned is to cease its work.
iv) Apart from the Secretariat, officers attend meetings of the Committee by invitation of the Committee.
(v) The Committee shall be accountable to the Diocesan Synod via the Bishop's Council and shall also liaise closely with the Bishop and his Staff.