THE Primus described the new Scottish Episcopal
Institute and the new shape of Mission Board as complementing each
other, and "probably the most significant organisational changes
for a generation." The Next Steps report in 2013 recommended
setting up networks that would connect the seven dioceses of the
SEC into a coherent expression of the mission life of the church as
a whole
"The Whole Church Policy places the focus of missional energy in
our dioceses and congregations, under the leaderships of our
bishops as leaders of mission," the Primus said. "We have to let go
of the idea that policy is made at the centre, radiating out like
the spokes of a wheel. We have to work out how we achieve
coherence; how we avoid becoming seven churches; how we share,
spread, and cross-fertilise best practice across our Church."
The Revd Fay Lamont, convener, said that the
new networks would "operate on a light-touch basis". They would
home in on spirituality in a culture where, it seemed, "people are
looking everywhere except the Church."