Parishes in one of our Ripon area deaneries have been making use of our Compass tool to help plan their mission for the future.
Churches in the Bowland and Ewecross deanery were introduced to Compass at a Deanery Synod meeting this past May, with two parishes running sessions over the summer.
Compass uses a mixture of video and discussion to lead church groups through a process that can help to identify what might be done next for churches to develop.
In both, attendees found the material easy to engage with, and it generated some free-flowing conversation, which progressed towards a goal.
Both parishes were able to develop an action to be taken within a few months.
Three more parishes have since made enquiries about running Compass sessions for their churches.
The Revd Nick Trenholme, Assistant Area Dean in the deanery, said: "I have received overall positive feedback about both recent sessions from the parishes.
“Compass has proved a stimulating tool which is helping parishes in our deanery to look again at their mission.
“The real benefit is that it sticks to a single next step.
“For busy parishes already doing a lot this is achievable and builds hope and confidence.
“I have seen that first hand."
To find out more about Compass and the support the diocese can offer churches through it, please click here.