The Rt. Rev. Wendell Gibbs, installed as Bishop of Michigan last November, outlined a bold and assertive plan to redirect ministries and provide renewed energy for stewardship when the diocesan convention met March 2-3 in Ann Arbor. He called for and found approval of a $2.8 million budget -- $370,000 greater than pledged income -- because the bishop didn't want the ministry of tomorrow to be constrained by the stewardship patterns of yesterday.

Bishop Gibbs said he is confident that financial support of the common ministry of the diocese will improve as the fruits of a well-cared-for community and a larger diocesan staff are realized. New staff members include an assistant to the bishop for Christian formation, an assistant to the bishop for communication, and a chief financial officer.

Bishop Gibbs also issued a series of challenges to the diocese, not the least of which is to double the membership by 2010.

He focused on the imperative of the baptismal covenant "to seek and serve Christ in all persons ... and to strive for justice and peace among all people."

"Perhaps," the bishop suggested, "we each misunderstand the word 'all'." He listed three specific examples where all will mean all during his episcopacy: youth ministries, human sexuality, and Total Ministry.

The bishop challenged every congregation to include two youth members on its vestry or bishop's committee and to send one young person to diocesan convention as a full delegate.

Bishop Gibbs announced he will oversee the strategic deployment of deacons and called for a complete review of the diaconal training process.