Chorley and Leyland Methodists

Dear friends,

This month is, naturally, all about looking back and looking forward. It’s about reflecting on where we’ve been, considering where we want to go next, and then figuring out how we’ll get there, by God’s grace. We think and talk a lot in the E&G Team about how change happens, drawing on the best thinking and experience from all kinds of people and places. 

Whether you prefer to watch a video, listen to a podcast, read an article or attend a training event, there are lots of links below to resource you as you take your next step with God.

–The Evangelism and Growth Team.

This month’s story of hope

Do you ever struggle with prayer, and yet long to be more connected with God? Do you sense the importance of being centred in God in all you do, but find your existing practice of prayer doesn’t quite work for you? 

The East Anglia Methodist District are offering people a range of ways to get involved in a Year of Prayer in 2023. Ideas include prayer walking, having a prayer partner, praying for a minute a day or considering how best to use prayer to open meetings. 

Mission Enabler, Yasmin Finch, is even travelling the district with a pop-up 24/7 prayer room in the boot of her car. To pick up ideas and gain inspiration, check out the website. 

01

Review.

Sometimes it helps to look back before we can move forward. 2022 was a tumultuous year by anyone’s standards, in the UK as well as in the rest of the world. You can test your recall and refresh your memory of events with this quiz from The Guardian website (the answers are at the bottom if you need to cheat!). 

You can also help us review how we are all doing with the Strategy for Evangelism and Growth at one of our God For All consultations. Click here for a list of upcoming dates and select the one that best fits your particular role within Methodism. Help us consider how things have gone as we plan together for evangelism and growth in 2023 and beyond.

02

Change.       

It’s that time of year when many of us resolve to make changes in our lives: perhaps we want to make healthier choices, to learn a new skill or to spend our time differently. In his book Atomic Habits, James Clear argues that the key to significant, long-lasting change is to develop new habits, making small choices every day that add up to big changes over time. 

As he explains in this five-minute video,  “Each action that you take is like a vote for the type of person that you want to become.” Then ask yourself: what small habits could you adopt as an individual or as a church or New Place for New People that would add up over time to big changes in the world God loves? If you’d be interested in getting a coach to help you discern and embed these habits, email the Evangelism and Growth Team.

03

Read.

In the wake of the Census, perhaps you are wondering how to engage with people of ‘no religion’ in your community engagement and evangelism? If so, take a look at the research report The Nones: Who are they and what do they believe? 

The report identifies three distinct groups of people who say they have no religion. ‘Spiritual Nones’ believe there is ‘something out there’, which they may or may not call ‘God.’ ‘Tolerant Nones’ are broadly atheistic but allow for the possibility that religion might be a force for good. Finally, ‘Campaigning Nones’ are 'evangelistic' in their atheism, believing that religion is not just untrue but positively harmful, and that it should be eradicated for the good of society. 

You can read the full report here, and then spend some time considering what good news might look like for each of these groups of people. You’ll find training and resources to equip you and your church for evangelism here.

04

Begin.

New Year, New Place for New People! As 2023 begins, ask yourself where God might be prompting your circuit to begin a new Christian community shaped with unaffiliated people in mind. Could you hold a 24/7 Prayer Room or curate a prayer space in the community that appeals to ‘spiritual nones’? Could you invite ‘tolerant nones’ to do justice alongside you, trusting that they will encounter God along the way? Could you host a series of conversations about the issues of the day, perhaps inviting campaigning nones into that conversation for an enjoyable debate? Click here for upcoming gatherings to help you in your New Places for New People discernment, and here if you are sensing God’s call to people on the economic margins.

05

Laugh.

Do you sometimes feel overwhelmed by the state of the world? Check out Kid President’s tips for how to change it.

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