The Research From Anecdote to Evidence Growing churches are those with: Good leadership Clear mission & purpose Reflective practice, change, capacity to be adaptable Involvement of laity Intentionality on growth and discipleship
The Challenge From Anecdote to Evidence Fewer people in church & tend to be older Young people not taking their place We need better leadership – clergy & lay We need growth strategies, not management of decline We need to act now
Our response Prayerful Urgent Radical Together
Reform & Renewal One part of the response Based on what dioceses have told us Many strands A single purpose: to make sure we have the right people and resources to help us to re-evangelise England and grow in the life of the Kingdom of God
Five streams of work Resourcing the Future – money Resourcing Ministerial Education – clergy and lay Developing Senior Leadership Simplification – legislation & regulations Re-envisioning the work of the National Church Institutions
Main Changes Discipleship Evangelism Increase in lay leadership 50% increase in candidates for ordination by 2020 Discerning and nurturing senior leaders Simplifying church bureaucracy Central changes All national funding for dioceses will be for mission and growth. Half to support mission in poorer areas. Half to invest in new growth opportunities around the country
Consultation and Engagement Further work is in progress with dioceses More detailed proposals being developed Have your say:
The Prize So that the Risen Christ can be restored to the centre of this country, its conscience and its culture. “Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we can ask or conceive, by the power which is at work among us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians