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The Diocese of
Monmouth

PART FOUR: THE NEXT STEPS—FROM VISION TO REALITY

 

At a certain point people need more than vision. They need a plan, a step-by-step explanation of how to move from vision to reality.

Bill Hybels, Courageous Leadership, Zondervan, Michigan, 2002 p.55

4.1 What parishes/benefices can do

 

  • Now that the Deanery Mission Plans have been accepted, parishes will need to begin to work in partnership with the proposed future groupings. Is it possible to do more things together, such as study courses, baptism, marriage and confirmation preparation? You can invite observers from other churches to your PCC meetings etc.

  • You could invite the Revd John Leach (Parish Development Adviser) or another consultant to work with you in developing a vision for your church or, if you feel you already have one, then move to the next stage.

  • Each parish, benefice or future grouping must carry out a local exercise to produce a step-by-step plan of how to put their vision into action. There are various ways of doing this. You could do the Mission Action Plan (‘mapping’) exercise.[See www.churchinwales.org.uk/Llandaff/MAP2_5.htm]

  • This has proved successful in the Diocese of Llandaff, or you could use the 'Healthy Churches' exercise.[ You will need Robert Warren's The Healthy Churches' Handbook, Church House Publishing, 2004]

  • Develop Ministry Mission Teams and encourage vocations.

  • Study the scriptures together and explore different ways to pray. The diocese has people who can help with workshops and parish days to explore the Christian spiritual tradition and help people to pray.

  • Arrange parish retreats, weekends, and prayer groups to deepen the spiritual life of the parish. [The RC Sisters of St Joseph at Llantarnam Abbey have a recently refurbished guest house where they are pleased to welcome Anglican groups at reasonable prices for day or residential visits. The sisters at Tymawr also have facuilities for day groups and retreatants]

  • Take a fresh look at your liturgy and preaching. How could it be improved? Sunday worship is vitally important as a means of evangelism and nurture. There are people in the diocese who can advise about liturgy and preaching.

  • Encourage ‘faith sharing’ so that people are encouraged to talk about their relationship with God and to share their spiritual journeys with others. This can be a source of great encouragement.

  • Ensure that your parish priest has an annual retreat and takes advantage of Continuing Ministerial Education (CME) opportunities.

  • Seek to have a service at the same time each Sunday in each of our churches. This may require lay-led services, but evidence shows that regular worship patterns lead to church growth.

  • Use our Childrens’ Officer (Sue Collingbourne) and our Youth Officer (Pam Richards) to advise on work with young people. Take young people to the YES services.

  • Teach the importance of Christian giving, both by individuals and by the church. Do you give away 10% of your income?

  • See if you can plant another church?
    Anglican Church Planting Initiatives have a website www.acpi.org.uk and Grove Booklets produce a number of booklets (£2.75 each) about church planting - New Ground in Church Planting (EV27), Church Planting - Past. Present and Future (EV61) and Hope for the Margins (EV49). Also the report Mission-Shaped Church, Church House, Publications, £10.95.

  • If you can do none of the above, do you need to take the courageous step of looking at closure? The paschal mystery shows us that death can lead to resurrection. Closure can help to redirect resources and lead to growth.