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Church Vacancies: Strategies for Growth

Explore key questions on preparing for and thriving during church vacancies. Learn from research findings and follow 15 valuable pieces of advice to develop leaders and grow churches. Access further resources at www.grow-vacancy.org.uk.

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Church Vacancies: Strategies for Growth

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  1. making disciples developing leaders growing churches

  2. St. Peter’s Saltley Trust

  3. 6 research …identified key questions…

  4. 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?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  12. 1 stay united and deal with conflict 15

  13. 2 value the paid staff, but don’t expect them to be the vicar 15

  14. 3 spread the load 15

  15. 4 be clear about who is in charge 15

  16. 5 don’t stop changing 15

  17. 6 look for quality and continuity in leading worship 15

  18. 7 consider an interim minister 15

  19. 8 organise the pastoral care 15

  20. 9 15 the newcomers

  21. 10 encourage regular attendance 15

  22. 11 review the programme, but maintain it if you can 15

  23. 12 communicate communicatecommunicate 15

  24. deal with transition, acknowledge emotions 13 15

  25. 14 keep good relations with the patron, deanery and diocese 15

  26. 15 15 pray

  27. what helps us grow after the vacancy? • 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 15 bits of advice 6

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

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

  30. making disciples developing leaders growing churches

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