Circuits Working in Federation Report and Resources

As part of the Southampton District exploration of Circuits working in federation, District Development Enabler produced a full report bringing together all the appropriate and available information.  A summary of the findings is given below, and the full report can be downloaded here.

A shorter version of the report, designed for use in Circuit Meetings and Leadership teams, has also been produced.  This has formed the basis of the information on this website, and can be downloaded as a single document for printing here.

Key findings

The following extract from the full report summarises what can be drawn from existing understanding and experience. 

Please refer to the full report for further details.

There is strong evidence that Circuit Federations can make a positive contribution to the mission of the Church in many areas of the Connexion.

There is strong interest from many Circuits, especially small Circuits and those who are facing specific challenges.

The potential advantages of larger Circuits are well established, but there are also clearly identifiable weaknesses, especially in the fear they engender among those who value smaller arrangements.  A Federation may offer the best of both worlds, by retaining autonomy for individual Circuits, while sharing in the wider benefits of a larger unit.

There is clear evidence to suggest that sharing of Structural activity and obligations in a larger unit, such as a Federation, brings benefits through efficiency and economy.  It follows that a Federation that is united for Structural elements, but largely autonomous for Missional activity would be significantly more effective than completely independent Circuits.

There is significant evidence that some elements of Mission are better planned in conjunction with others, in a forum such as provided by a Federation, and other elements may be more effective if delivered from within the strengths of a larger resource base, staff team or volunteer body.

Federations should have a Compact or agreement to define the relationship and working practice. 

Informal arrangements for working across boundaries are found throughout the Connexion.  Most of these can be recognised technically as Federations, and may benefit from understanding and accepting this status in order to further develop joint work. 

Federations do not need to be based around an established model, but should develop their own approach.

Where Circuit mergers seem likely or inevitable, a Federation may provide a sensible way of managing the process, while building joint work and trust.

There are those who feel that all Circuits could benefit from being be part of a Federation.  This especially true of large diverse districts such as Southampton, but this is not universally accepted and has not been established as policy in any district. 

There is a strong feeling against an additional level of administration between District and Circuit.  The principal of Subsidiarity marks the difference between a Federation and a fully merged Circuit.

The next step

Federation should be an option considered in many situations, with information and advice offered through the District Development Enabler, District Training Officer and others.

Existing groups that function in this way should be encouraged to recognise their status as Federations in order to strengthen and develop their joint work.

Training and resource materials could be produced for use by Circuits exploring working together or wishing to develop an existing relationship further.

It would be helpful for the Southampton District to establish a team to assist Circuits wishing to develop a Federation.  There is a strong feeling from the Fourward Group Federation Sub-Group that they would like to be involved in this.

A conference of District Development Enablers could be held to discuss further the implications of this report. 

A larger body of evidence from existing Federations could be explored, probably through the national District Development Enablers network.

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