23.03.2026
Renew Release Reach: Feedback on a Year of Listening
People throughout Dublin and Glendalough have spoken about how they see their dioceses – the Revd Rob Clements reports back.
In 2025 the mission sub–committee of diocesan council took time to listen. What do we want our church to be like in 5 years–time. What should our priorities be?
This took several forms. There was space for break out rooms at diocesan synod, and we facilitated seven consultations throughout our diocese. A big thank you to everyone who participated.
We want to feedback some of our findings.
What we found was dioceses longing to move from scarcity to abundance, from inward to outward, from clerical dependency to shared ministry, and from cautious maintenance to joyful, confident participation in God’s mission in today’s Ireland.
Three words emerged: Renew, Release, Reach
· Renewing our spiritual life, confidence, and identity
· Releasing people, resources and energy for mission
· Reaching communities, growing disciples, and serving the world
Through conversation, a shared and hopeful vision for the Church started to emerge. Participants expressed deep gratitude for the Church’s faithfulness, heritage, pastoral care, and community presence, while also acknowledging the urgent need for renewal, greater confidence, and cultural change.
A consistent theme is the call to move from a model centred on maintenance, buildings, and administration toward a more outward–facing, mission–shaped church. There is strong desire for a Church that is visible, confident in the gospel, and actively engaged with the wider community throughout the week, not solely on Sundays.
A major theme is the loss of younger generations. The future vitality of the Church is closely linked to its ability to attract, retain, and empower children, young people, and families. Schools are seen as a critical point of connection, and there is widespread recognition that confirmation and youth ministry must become pathways into lifelong discipleship rather than points of disengagement.
Prayer and worship are identified as the foundation of all renewal. While participants value the richness of Anglican liturgy and tradition, they also call for greater creativity, participation, and diversity in worship, ensuring that services are accessible, intergenerational, and connected to everyday life.
A strong emphasis is placed on welcome, hospitality, and inclusion. The Church is challenged to be a safe, open, and non–judgmental community where people of all backgrounds, ages, abilities, and identities experience belonging and dignity.
There is a clear mandate to release and equip lay people for ministry while simultaneously supporting clergy more effectively. Reducing administrative burdens, expanding training, and fostering shared leadership are seen as essential to sustainable mission.
Collaboration emerges as a critical priority. Parishes are encouraged to move beyond isolation and competition toward shared learning, pooled resources, and collective mission, supported by stronger diocesan structures and communication.
Finally, there is broad agreement that buildings, finances, and governance must serve people and mission rather than dominate them. Church buildings are envisioned as active community hubs and centres of prayer, sustained through responsible stewardship, generosity, and shared resourcing.
Taken together, the consultation points toward a diocese seeking to grow not only in numbers, but in depth of discipleship, confidence in faith, and impact on the communities it serves — joining God in the work already unfolding across Dublin and Glendalough.
What happens next?
Later this year, we plan to gather people together again. This is a chance to hear from voices who perhaps haven’t had a chance to speak yet, but also to explore our findings more deeply. More information to come!
Ongoing feedback is always welcome. Comments are welcome to the chair of the Mission Sub Committee Rev Rob Clements at rector@kilternanparish.ie
This article first appeared in the March 2026 edition of the Church Review, the diocesan magazine of Dublin and Glendalough.