Waiapu's Synod was presided over by Vicar-General Brian Hamilton, who presented his “first and only charge” to help the diocese prepare for its new bishop, Andrew Hedge.

In 1977, he told synod, Waiapu had 51 ministry units with 44 vicars, 4 assistant curates, 9 self-supporting priests,3 chaplains and 26 priests with permission to officiate and Maori pastorates.

Now the diocese has 15 Vicars, 4 priest assistants, 10 chaplains, 7 diocesan staff priests and 15 local licensed or community priests. From 2005 to 2012 diocesan worship attendances are down from 194,158 to 162,305.

"Many parishes are wrestling with debt. This may well force us to ask: are we being challenged to rationalise plant?"

Society is changing as well: child poverty, the growing gap between rich and poor, rising numbers of homeless, suicides, particularly among the young, societal acceptance of same-gender relationships.

“As I contemplate all this change, particularly in the Church, I challenge myself to remember that this is God’s Church, that God began it, that God sustains it and that God permits, perhaps encourages change.”

How are we adapting to change? 

Rising travel costs are encouraging us to meet in other ways. A societal change in attitude towards same gender relationships is challenging us to respond. Now women lead parishes. There is youth representation at diocesan synod and General Synod and we engage with Tikanga Maori as partners.  Music has changed. We are moving to every-member ministry

Our strengths

The bulk of our worshippers are over 60, are experienced, prayerful, and faithful; they are a passionate resource, our missionaries, our key strength. How do we mobilise them?

We are moving from a full-time stipendiary model of priestly ministry to many strands of ordained ministry, and this is a strength.

Our goal

Numerical Growth? Healthy and vigorous communities of faith? Effective engagement with our wider communities? Transfer of the Gospel across generations? Communication of the Gospel to the unchurched? Addressing social needs, injustice and environmental concerns? Being custodians of heritage buildings and artefacts?

What works? 

Good leadership. A clear mission and purpose. Willingness to self-reflect, to change and adapt according to context. Involvement of lay members. Being intentional in prioritising growth. Being intentional in chosen style of worship. Being intentional in nurturing disciples.

There are different kinds of growth: in depth, spirituality and numbers. What is our response? Where do you want our ministry units to go?