The 28-page report is available for download here.
The report prepared as PowerPoint slides is available here.

The report of the Diocesan Task Force on Physical Resources was approved at the annual Diocesan Synod, May 25-26.

The report , titled "Making Ministry Happen," was the culmination of 18 months of work by the task force, and cames after 12 public archdeaconry meetings, almost innumerable committee meetings, and multiple drafts of the report.

One of a dozen archdeaconry meetings organized by the Diocesan Task Force on Physical Resources to gather feedback from parishes and regions. This was at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Westminster Archdeaconry.
Early in the process, the task force, appointed in late 2005, decided to steer away from what had been done in several other dioceses. Other dioceses have produced reports recommending church buildings should be retained, and which parishes should be merged or closed.

Instead, the task force decided to put together a process that would operate primarily at the diocese’s “grass roots,” to evaluate what present and future ministry should or could be done in parishes, or by groups of parishes regionally.

The result was a five-part “Ministry Assessment Process,” (or “The MAP") which will be initiated in several ways, including whenever a parish calls a new rector. Eventaually every parish will undergo the MAP.

“We’ve heard a lot of support for the process,” said Task Force Chair Mike Burpee, “particularly that it builds on strengths, is consultative, and is designed to work from the ground up at the parish or regional level, not from the top down.”

Burpee said that the 300 parishioners participated the first round of meetings in October, and nearly that many during the second set of meetings in February. "They came up with a score of helpful suggestions and advice.”

He said the Task Force felt it essential there be sufficient resources to support and assist clergy and parishes during the process, especially in smaller parishes. After a final meeting, the Task Force disbanded at the end of May. 

Burpee added that the diocese needs to set overall strategic priorities for future ministry in the Lower Mainland and Sunshine Coast. To that end, a special diocesan Strategic Working Group hadbeen set up to advise Diocesan Council.

Diocesan Synod will be held May 25-26, at Capilano College, North Vancouver.  Synod directed Diocesan Council to appoint an interim steering committee to implement the process.

At  Synod, delegates felt the a diocesan stategic plan was essential, and amended the motion approving the report to instruct diocesan council to make a strategic plan a priority.