There are lots of organisations who can help churches with looking at growth and outreach in all sorts of ways. Some of those ideas have emerged from our diocese over the last few years, and have been a great help to our churches. Find out more below, and if there is something you have used which has worked well, please do let us know at barnabas@leeds.anglican.org.
Leading your Church into Growth
Leading your Church into Growth is the UK's foremost training course for church growth, and has been a key part of growing churches in the diocese. All clergy coming into the diocese, or moving to a first position of responsibility, are invited to undertake the residential LyCiG Course. More details about LyCiG can be found on their website.
Jesus Shaped People (JSP)
Want to motivate your whole church for mission and service? Jesus Shaped People is a comprehensive and all-embracing programme, with resources for adults, children and young people. It can benefit a wide spectrum of churches from different traditions and contexts, especially smaller urban, inner city, social housing estate churches, churches with few or no children or young people, or churches without a Vicar or Minister. For an in-depth introduction, you can download the JSP summary leaflet. Jesus Shaped People builds on five key priorities in the life and ministry of Jesus:
- People
- Teaching
- Team Building
- Prayer
- Prophetic Challenge
The five priorities are explored through interactive small groups studies, dynamic preaching and lively worship. Each of the themes takes three weeks, making a fifteen-week programme in total.
See the JSP introductory video: jesusshapedpeople.net/node/305