Growth Planning Framework. Reflect, change and

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1 Growth Planning Framework Reflect, change and adapt 1

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3 Welcome I believe that churches should be growing in influence, in depth and in numbers. Planning for this growth is essential if it is to be healthy and life-giving. For some years we have been using, and developing, our Growth Planning Framework (GPF) to guide fruitful discussions. It s a toolkit to help you reflect, change and adapt your church for growth. Through the GPF we aim to recover the freshness and dynamism of the early church in its love for God in Christ and in its impact: Those who have turned the world upside down have come here also (Acts 17:6). The national Church of England Church Growth Research programme has seen the value of tools such as ours. Their excellent workbook, From Evidence to Action mirrors a lot of the thinking behind the GPF. In turn we have added to our work the best national practice. So this latest GPF document contains the best of current thinking to help your church grow, flourish and serve God and the community. The national research clearly showed that churches which reflect, change and adapt are churches which grow. This document will help you and your church do that. So I pray you will use it to reflect, change and adapt. To listen to the spirit and have honest, fruitful discussions together. To discern the plans God has for you and for growing your church to make a bigger difference. Paul Bayes Bishop of Liverpool 3

4 About Growth Planning Framework 3 Two years ago, Growth Planning Framework 2 was developed to provide a tool for reflection in response to a series of questions and to create a plan of action based on your responses. Now Growth Planning Framework 3 has been developed to introduce a process which encourages you to: Revisit Growth Planning Framework 2 Reflect on progress Learn from the past Change and adapt in the future. Who will complete Growth Planning Framework 3? Growth Planning Framework 3 is most effective when a small group comes together to work through the process. This might be a standing committee, leadership team or a specially appointed group to undertake this task with the blessing and authority of your PCC/DCC. Before you begin Growth Planning Framework 3, take some time to pray and reflect on the last two years and the journey your Church has travelled. Give thanks to God for the blessings and pray for God s guidance as you start to look to the future. 4

5 How to use Growth Planning Framework 3 The process of Growth Planning Framework 3 follows four steps. Steps one, two and three are completed for each section with Step four acting as a summary and action plan. Growth Planning Framework 3 has been designed to build on the reflections and actions of Growth Planning Framework 2. If your church has not completed that exercise you may want to look at it first. You can download a copy of Growth Planning Framework 2 from our website: STEP 1: REFLECT Revisit your Growth Planning Framework 2 action plan. Have you completed all of the actions for each section? STEP 2: CHANGE Working through the sections of this document, highlight areas for change and ask the question: are we open to change in this area? If people are not open to change, then you will need to discuss the way forward. STEP 3: ADAPT Look back over the areas for change noted for each section. What possibilities/options exist in each area to improve your score? STEP 4: LET S HAVE A GO! Summarise your actions for each section on the action plan. Complete and photocopy your action plan and return to: Warren Hartley Administrative Officer St James House 20 St James Road Liverpool L1 7BY If there is anything you would like clarified or have any further questions, please don t hesitate to contact Warren on or warren.hartley@liverpool.anglican.org. 5

6 1. A place of welcome and belonging Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13:2) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to make our church a place of greater welcome and belonging? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Does our welcome and hospitality help people quickly feel comfortable and settled in our church? 2. Do we have an attractive welcome pack/welcome literature? 3. Are we good at spotting new people? 4. Does everyone in our church play their part in welcoming people and help them belong? 5. Do newer people quickly find their way around our church and our various activities? 6. Does our church feel like a loving and supportive family? 7. Is our church a place where our church members bring their friends along? 8. In general do people look out for people in our church and do we notice if people stop coming? 6

7 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): We give a really warm welcome to our church and people want to come back. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to make our church a place of greater welcome and belonging? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to make our church a place of greater welcome and belonging? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 7

8 2. A place where all can worship When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him... They said to each other, Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us? (Luke 24:30,32) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to create a place where all can worship? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Do we have a varied diet of worship that includes everyone and takes place at the most appropriate times? 2. Is our church child friendly with appropriate safeguarding procedures in place? 3. Is our liturgy accessible and easy to follow? 4. Is our preaching biblical, helpful and applied to people s daily lives? 5. Do we involve a variety of people in the organisation and conducting of services (eg welcomers, sidespeople, readers and leaders of intercessions)? 6. Does our worship draw in and engage the outsider, and particularly those who may have never worshipped in a church before? 7. Is our church known and noticed for its inclusiveness? 8. In general, is our regular worship effective at drawing people into the presence of God? 8

9 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): The worship in our church is attractive, inspiring and inclusive. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to create a place where all can worship? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to create a place where all can worship? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 9

10 3. A place of prayer and Bible study While we, for our part, will devote ourselves to prayer and to serving the word. (Acts 6:4) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to make more opportunities for prayer and bible study? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Is a daily office said, and is it open to all? 2. Do we guide and equip people to pray and to mature in their spiritual lives (e.g. a school of prayer, spiritual direction, a church prayer diary, guided retreats)? 3. Do we create opportunities for people to pray together and to pray for other people (e.g. prayer triplets, meetings or breakfasts; bringing prayer requests to church, forms of prayer ministry)? 4. Do we help people to read and reflect upon the Bible (e.g. Bible study notes, sermon notes, audio or podcast, small groups, courses)? 5. In our worship together is the Bible read well, are the intercessions well prepared and people trained to share in these ministries? 6. In general, do we challenge and encourage people to make regular time for personal prayer and Bible reading? 10

11 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): As a church we believe that all Christians should pray and read their Bibles faithfully and we do all we can to help them. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to make more opportunities for prayer and bible study? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to make more opportunities for prayer and bible study? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 11

12 4. A place of nurture, discipleship and vocation Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. (Matt 28:19) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to help people mature in their faith and sense of vocation? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Do we run regular Christian basics courses? 2. Do we help prepare people well for baptism and confirmation? 3. Do we have effective ways, including small groups, of helping people mature in their faith and their walk with God? 4. Do we have appropriate ways of helping children and young people grow in and express their faith? 5. Do we help people to talk about their faith? 6. Do we help people see their daily living as part of their vocation? 7. Within this do we actively seek to identify and encourage people who God may be calling into ordained ministry? 8. In general do we have a flow of people coming to faith in our church? 12

13 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): Our church enables people from across our parish/parishes to explore their journey of faith and come to know, love and serve Jesus Christ. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to help people mature in their faith and sense of vocation? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to help people mature in their faith and sense of vocation? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 13

14 5. A place of leadership, empowerment and release It is he whom we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone in all wisdom, so that we may present everyone mature in Christ. For this I toil and struggle with all the energy that he powerfully inspires within me. (Cols 1:28-29) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to help develop and empower people in leadership? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Are we confident that we are receiving and supporting good clear leadership (clergy and lay) within our church? 2. Does our church demonstrate a good balance between maintenance and mission? 3. Are we consciously developing our current leadership and a new generation of leaders within our church, especially in the light of the Growth Agenda? 4. Are we committed in principle and practice to growing collaborative/shared ministry and leadership? 5. Do we have more people in leadership positions than 12 months ago? 6. Does our church welcome and embrace change? 7. Is our church intentional in setting clear goals for development and change? 8. In general, do people feel they have a place within church life and are given opportunities to try things out? 14

15 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): Our church is well led enabling people to have a go as they identify and grow their God-given gifts and talents. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to help develop and empower people in leadership? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to help develop and empower people in leadership? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 15

16 6. A place of service and sending You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. (Acts 1:8b) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to help people make more of a difference in our own community or further afield? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Does our community know that we are here; do we have a good reputation as a faith community or do we need to build bridges to our community? 2. Do we talk to other faith and community groups and are we actively involved in local initiatives that make our community a better place to be? 3. Are we sufficiently and creatively involved with our local school(s), church and non church schools, lay and ordained involvement? JYes JNo 4. Do we actively support any Christian agencies working in the UK? 5. Do we actively engage with mission partners outside of the UK? 6. Do we celebrate and affirm the vocation of our church members to their workplace, their home and voluntary work? 7. In general, do we challenge and equip people to be witnesses to Jesus where God has called them to be and to bring the Gospel to those who have never heard it before? 16

17 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): Our church makes a difference to our local community and at least one other community beyond. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to help people make more of a difference in our own community or further afield? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to help people make more of a difference in our own community or further afield? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 17

18 7. A base for evangelism, outreach and numerical growth Praising God and having the goodwill of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved. (Acts 2:47) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to grow our church? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Do we make the most of our major festivals, school services, civic services etc? 2. Do we build good, supportive and on going relationships with baptism families, couples coming for marriage, and those we connect with through bereavement? 3. Are there any particular generations currently missing from our church, and are we addressing this? 4. Are there particular parts of the parish which are largely untouched by the current ministry of our church? 5. Do we have any specific plans to connect with and reach out to people as yet untouched by our church? 6. Do we have plans to start a new service, a fresh expression, or a new church plant within the next 2 years? 18

19 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): Our church is committed to numerical growth. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to grow our church? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to grow our church? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 19

20 8. A place of good administration and pastoral care We have gifts that differ according to the grace given to us: prophecy, in proportion to faith; ministry, in ministering; the teacher, in teaching; the exhorter, in exhortation; the giver, in generosity; the leader, in diligence; the compassionate, in cheerfulness. (Romans 12:6-8) STEP 1: REFLECT Has the action been completed to enhance our administration and pastoral care? If not why has this action not been completed? If action has been completed what has been the result of this action? STEP 2: CHANGE 1. Do people feel well informed about what is going on? 2. Are the day-to-day tasks and responsibilities appropriately spread out among different people or is the vicar and/or the usual suspects expected to do everything? 3. Are there things we can stop doing? 4. Are we good at identifying people who may be isolated or overlooked in church? 5. Do we offer effective and supportive pastoral care for those going through difficulties? 6. Are we providing adequate care and opportunity for the older members of our church? 7. Do we have a trained and appropriately checked (DBS) pastoral visiting team? 8. In general are we equipped to enable differently-abled people to fully engage in our worship and church activities? 20

21 CONCLUSION Now having completed the questions, how do you rate the following statement on a score of 1 10 (1 completely disagree; 10 fully agree): Our church is well organised, things run smoothly and people are well cared for. J1 J2 J3 J4 J5 J6 J7 J8 J9 J10 Completely Disagree Fully Agree Compare this with your Starter for 10 score for Growth Planning Framework 2. Has progress been made in this area over the last 2 years? Are we open to change? What do we need to change to develop in this area? STEP 3: ADAPT What possibilities/options exist to enhance our administration and pastoral care? What is the one thing we could do over the next 12 months to enhance our administration and pastoral care? Who will be involved in completing this action? Who will be responsible for reporting progress to the PCC/DCC? When will this action be completed? 21

22 Action Plan STEP 4: LET S HAVE A GO! Please photocopy these completed pages and send to Warren Hartley - details on the back of this booklet. This information will be used during your Archdeacon s Parish Review. Parish Name: Parish Number: Deanery: 1. We give a really warm welcome to our church and people want to come back. Person responsible: Completion Date: 2. The worship in our church is attractive, inspiring and inclusive. Person responsible: Completion Date: 3. As a church we believe that all Christians should pray and read their Bibles faithfully and we do all we can to help them. Person responsible: Completion Date: Action Plan 2015 page 1

23 4. Our church enables people from across our parish/parishes to explore their journey of faith and come to know, love and serve Jesus Christ. Person responsible: Completion Date: 5. Our church is well led enabling people to have a go as they identify and grow their God-given gifts and talents. Person responsible: Completion Date: Date: 6. Our church makes a difference to our local community and at least one other community beyond. Person responsible: Completion Date: 7. Our church is committed to numerical growth. Person responsible: Completion Date: 8. Our church is well organised, things run smoothly and people are well cared for. Person responsible: Completion Date: Action Plan 2015 page 2

24 If you need help to complete any of your actions or have any further questions please contact: Warren Hartley Administrative Officer St James House, 20 St James Road, Liverpool L1 7BY