Dozier, Film Highlight Total Ministry Conferences
Episcopal News Service. February 28, 1985 [85046]
DAYTON, Ohio (DPS, Feb. 28) -- The urgent energy of Verna Dozier and unique new film on ministry were the key elements in a highly successful Conference on Total Ministry held early this month at the Bergamo Conference Center here.
Sponsored by the Total Ministry Task Force of the Office for Ministry Development of the Episcopal Church Center, the gathering brought together 125 Episcopalians to further the process of making Episcopalians aware of the ministry of all church members. This is a biennial event that has expanded dramatically as the concept of total ministry has taken hold throughout the Church.
The Rev. John Docker, coordinator of the office at the Episcopal Church Center, noted that the conference this year included many people who are grappling with this concept for the first time as well as those with diocesan responsibilities through ministries commissions and those who have been advocates of the concept on a national level for many years. Docker said that this conference was both the best attended and involved the greatest geographic spread since the event began.
Dozier, one of the best known and most eloquent of the advocates, challenged the group through her keynote addresses by asserting that "all of us have been called, in Jesus' own words, to do greater things than he did," and then asking "why have we been so slow to be about it?" She then proceeded to answer that question by exploring some of the blocks Church members place against ministry and highlighting some of the personal costs ministry involves.
The three blocks she cited were the failure to see the full biblical story and its implications; the mistaken correlation of membership in the Church with membership in the Kingdom of God and the insistence on earning one's salvation.
In her second address, she turned to the costs of descipleship such as the pain of experiencing the biblical meaning of love as that which bears all things... endures all things, and no longer being able to settle for personal security: "We would like this whole business of ministry kept within discrete, definable limits."
Dozier's challenges were complemented by a preview of a new film on total ministry. The film, "Day by Day" was conceived almost a year ago, funded by a Venture in Mission gift of the Diocese of Oklahoma and produced for the Education for Mission and Ministry unit of the Church Center by the Rev. Jim Friedrich and Scot Miller.
The film's setting was a rehearsal hall where actors were instructed by the "director" to act out what ministry means to them and were told the idea of the film - that anyone can do ministry. The film opened with raindrops falling on a pond; the voiceover reminded us of our Baptismal Covenant: "... will you seek and serve Christ in all persons...?" If we lift up the real message of Jesus Christ as his followers, we are open to his message. One viewer said: "Ministry is constant."
The film was not explicit; it offered no prescriptions, no directives about what ministry is or is not. Rather, it encourages consideration of ministry.
A film guide is being developed and should be available by April; it is free. Contact Docker, Office of Ministry Development, Episcopal Church Center, 815 Second Avenue, New York, NY 10017, for a copy. "Day By Day" may be rented from ROA Films, 914 N. Fourth Street, P.O. Box 661, Milwaukee, WI 53201 (800) 558-9015 or Cathedral Films, P.O. Box 4029, Westlake Village, CA 91359 (800) 338-3456; California residents (805) 495-7418. The rental is $39, including the film guide, from both companies. Videotape (VHS or BETA format) can be purchased for $79 and is only available from Cathedral Films.