1. growing churches making disciples developing leaders

3. St. Peter’s Saltley Trust

4. 6 research …identified key questions…

5. 6  What is important about a vacancy?  What sort of churches are most vulnerable to losing people?  What is the impact of vacancy length?  What should we do to prepare for a vacancy?  What can we do in the vacancy to help us thrive and grow?  What helps us grow after a vacancy?

6. ‘Overall, we are not losing people from churches with a vicar in place, just from churches struggling with vacancies.’ Bob Jackson what is important about a vacancy? 1

7. over 100 2 what sort of churches are most vulnerable to losing people? new people many living outside parish

8. over 100 3 what is the impact of vacancy length? Keep it short… ideally around six months people living outside parish

9. what should we do to prepare for a vacancy? grow leaders share leadership

10. 4 what should we do to prepare for a vacancy? hand over responsibilities

11. 4 what should we do to prepare for a vacancy? MAP

12. 15 what can we do in the vacancy to help us thrive and grow? key pieces of advice

13. 1 15 stay united and deal with conflict

14. 2 15 value the paid staff, but don’t expect them to be the vicar

15. 3 15 spread the load

16. 4 15 be clear about who is in charge

17. 5 15 don’t stop changing

18. 6 15 look for quality and continuity in leading worship

19. 7 15 consider an interim minister

20. 8 15 organise the pastoral care

21. 9 15 the newcomers

22. 10 15 encourage regular attendance

23. 11 15 review the programme, but maintain it if you can

24. 12 15 communicate communicate communicate

25. 13 15 deal with transition, acknowledge emotions

26. 14 15 keep good relations with the patron, deanery and diocese

27. 15 pray

28. 15 6 what helps us grow after the vacancy? bits of advice  Don’t dump it all back on the new vicar  Don’t give up on the lapsed  Be ready to change to grow  Be ready for greater financial commitment

29. A vacancy… it’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.

30. further resources at www.grow-vacancy.org.uk

31. growing churches making disciples developing leaders