Church Life Review
To all our Local Church Congregations
Firstly, the Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) want to say a very big “thank you” to everyone who responded to the Church Life Review Questionnaire – that’s both individuals and groups within our churches. Your efforts have been appreciated; much reflection and prayer is evident in what you submitted.
Yesterday the CLT met at Midge Hall church for a significant part of the day and, having read the responses from all the churches, shared thoughts and began a process of working out what to concentrate on as we explore future possibilities. We heard of your optimist hopes – and the reality of the challenges that are faced.
As a Circuit we share in all these matters. Our opening devotions reminded us of our “connectedness” in the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12).
We discerned the following four major themes from amongst the many issues you identified, and we shall focus upon these with equal priority:
- Communication (of the Gospel, as well as how we function - with a desire to use media and technology);
- A strategy for Spiritual Growth (exploring how we can nourish faith and discipleship);
- Physical Presence; the importance of our physical “footprint”;
- The Ministry of all God’s people; an ongoing exploration of lay and ordained ministries supporting and leading the work of God in our midst.
So watch this space! The CLT meet again on the 25th April to take matters further.
Please hold this work in your prayers and convey this message to the local church in the most appropriate way(s)!
Thanks!
The September 2018 Circuit Meeting approved a proposal from the
Circuit Leadership Team (CLT) to undertake a year-long process of strategic
review throughout our Circuit.
We are calling it our Church Life Review.
In the light of a shortage of minsters (presbyters and deacons) across
our denomination (and indeed the wider Church); with real issues concerning the
sustainability of some of our church buildings, a widespread shortage of office
holders and a struggle to make new disciples, our churches are being asked to
grapple with some serious and urgent questions. Our prayer is that through the
process, we’ll be challenged about different ways of doing things –
particularly how ministry (in the broadest sense) takes place in our churches.
There is a contemporary challenge to the whole church to explore discipleship,
vocation, ministry and particularly Lay ministry. For some really interesting
articles see the Connexion magazine.
Each local church is being asked to open up a discussion and submit a completed questionnaire to the CLT by the end of February 2019. Individuals within churches are being invited to contribute their personal thoughts to their church leadership through an Individual Questionnaire.
The CLT will receive all completed church questionnaires and make proposals to the Circuit Meeting on 16th May.
Please hold this very important task in your prayers over the next year. A Prayer Resource is available as an aid for your personal devotions.