The Diocese Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007 (DPMM) provides for every diocese to have a Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee (DMPC). This is a representative body of clergy and laity, which is responsible for keeping the arrangements for pastoral care in the diocese under review and making recommendations to the Diocesan Bishop. The DMPC is established by the Diocesan Synod which also provides its constitution
What is the role of the DMPC?
The DPMM states that it shall be the duty of any person or body carrying out functions under this Measure or the 1983 Pastoral Measure to have due regard to the furtherance of the mission of the Church of England.
The measure defines mission as:
“the whole mission of the Church of England, pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.”
More specifically the DMPC must have regard to the following:
- worship, mission and community as central to the life and work of the Church of England;
- the financial implications for the diocese and the Church of England as a whole;
- the need to allocate appropriate spheres of work and to ensure that those employed or holding office in the diocese enjoy appropriate conditions of service and (where relevant) that those engaged in the cure of souls have reasonable remuneration provided for them. (However, the DMPC does not have power to fix or alter terms of service of those holding office in the diocese, or to exercise functions conferred on any person or body by or under any enactment) save as provided for in the 1983 Measure (e.g. dispossession);
- the traditions, needs and characteristics of particular parishes; and
- any other aspects of the diocesan synod’s policies to which it has asked the committee to have regard.
It shall be the duty of the DMPC:
(a) to make or assist in making better provision for the cure of souls in the diocese as a whole and, to the extent that the committee thinks appropriate, in particular parts of the diocese or in particular parishes;
(b) from time to time, as the bishop may direct, or as the committee thinks fit, to review arrangements for pastoral supervision and care in the diocese as a whole and, to the extent that the committee thinks appropriate, in particular parts of the diocese or in particular parishes (including sharing agreements in respect of a church or parsonage house and any proposals for sharing agreements);
(c) from time to time, as the bishop may direct, or as the committee thinks fit, to prepare strategies or proposals for carrying out the committee’s functions under paragraphs (a) and (b) above for submission to the bishop and the diocesan synod for their approval;
(d) to maintain an overview of matters relating to church buildings in the diocese and their use, other than matters which are within the jurisdiction of the consistory court or within the functions of the Diocesan Advisory Committee;
(e) in the case of listed buildings or buildings in a conservation area, to make every endeavour to find a suitable alternative use or suitable alternative uses for churches which are proposed to be closed and buildings which have been closed for regular public worship in the diocese under a pastoral church buildings scheme and, in the case of any other such building, to develop proposals for the suitable alternative use or uses of the building or for the demolition of the building and the disposal of its site;
(f) where it considers it desirable, to make recommendations to the bishop in accordance with section 3 of the 1983 Measure for any of the matters for which provision may be made under that Measure (other than section 36) by a pastoral scheme or order; and
(g) to carry out any other functions conferred upon a pastoral committee or a redundant churches uses committee of a diocese by or under the 1983 Measure or any other enactment.
If you require any further information regarding this Committee please contact the Secretary Nathan Whitehead.