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Growing the Body of Christ A strategy for growth 2011-2021

Growing the Body of Christ A strategy for growth 2011-2021. Appointing a new bishop. Lead the church in Sheffield to growth Co-operation and exploring difference Radical vision of church-world interface Renewal of decision making structures

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Growing the Body of Christ A strategy for growth 2011-2021

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  1. Growing the Body of ChristA strategy for growth 2011-2021

  2. Appointing a new bishop • Lead the church in Sheffield to growth • Co-operation and exploring difference • Radical vision of church-world interface • Renewal of decision making structures • Doing this in an atmosphere of financial constraint

  3. The Archbishop’s Charge • Build a structured and creative approach to mission, ministry and evangelism • Encourage a mixed economy of fresh expresssions of church and inherited forms • Communicate in your preaching and teaching the Christian faith with clarity and conviction • Develop a vision for the future for all the people of God.

  4. The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world.

  5. Three major strategy documents • Sustainable stipendiary ministry • Growing the Body of Christ • Serving and supporting our society The Diocese of Sheffield is called to grow a sustainable network of Christ-like, lively and diverse Christian communities in every place which are effective in making disciples and in seeking to transform our society and God’s world.

  6. Sustainable Stipendiary Ministry • Agree allocation of incumbents to deaneries • Deaneries producing a plan • Develop plans for 50 SSM’s • Resourcing stipendiary clergy through 4 short conferences + • Ten Days of Prayer

  7. Part One: What do we believe about God growing the church? • Growth is a gift from God and the normal activity of God • Growth is three dimensional • Growth is seasonal • Things grow differently in different soil • Growth is about being connected • There are dangers in focussing too much on numbers

  8. Part Two: What might growth look like? • Not simply more of the same • Probably not doubling in size • Question to myself: “What we need to do to see God grow the diocese by 20% over the next decade?” • Not a target for anyone – a what if question. • Stretching faith and vision

  9. Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, for ever and ever. Amen.Ephesians 3.20-21

  10. Part Three: Making new disciples • Recovering the ancient rhythms • Sowing the seedof the gospel • Nurturing faith in enquirers and new Christians • Growing new Christians to maturity • Can we find a rhythm to the year?

  11. The Way of Faith A 21st Century Catechumenate CHRISTMAS REMEMBRANCE HOLY WEEK AND EASTER Ten Days of Prayer HARVEST/ BTCS PENTECOST SUMMER

  12. Part Four: Planting fresh expressions of church Baptism Education Marriage Festivals Sunday Sickness Crisis Bereavement Death The mission task: Draw the people who come from the door to font to the altar

  13. The mission task becomes: • Go to where people are • Form communities • Make disciples there

  14. The Mixed Economy church a midweek all-age after school service a Sunday Evening Deanery Youth congregation Parish Communion A network of midweek cells assembling monthly A small community in a new housing area

  15. Encouraging fresh expressions • A climate of encouragement and permission • Vision days in deaneries • Mission-shaped Ministry • Deaneries thinking about fresh expressions of church as well as deployment • Invest in encouraging and brokering church planting • Rapid, flexible policies • Trust

  16. …..we must grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped, as each part is working properly, promotes the body's growth in building itself up in love.

  17. This Synod • Commends the document “Growing the Body of Christ” for careful study in Deaneries and Parishes  • Commits itself to pray and work to see God grow the Diocese of Sheffield substantially over the next decade • Supports the renewal of the catechumenate in the ways outlined and calls on every church to make provision for sowing the seed of the gospel, nurturing new Christians and growing disciples each year •  Affirms the vital importance of parish churches and parish ministry to fulfil our vision to grow a sustainable network of Christ like communities in every place. •  Supports the planting of new fresh expressions of church as a parish, in deaneries and across the Diocese as part of a mixed economy of church life.

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