As church we have identified some key challenges that we face over the coming years. Its is hoped that we will be able to work together so that we might tackle these challenges, and focus our efforts on developing strategies that are relevant to our fellowship and context. This will involve creatively listening to God and one another, and discerning ways forward.
Here are our Key Strategic Challenges:
Building Relationships
Being a Presence in our Community
Dynamic Discipleship
Spiritual Awareness
Building Relationships
- Making and keeping contacts
- Warm welcome that goes beyond the Sunday morning
- Genuine interest and care
- Sacrificial and open lives
Key Challenges:
- Identify people on the fringe who need befriending
- Develop programmes and events that encourage friendships to grow
- Encourage open friendship groups within the church
Being a Presence in our Community
- Gaining a good standing with the locality
- People know who we are and what we stand for
- Publicity, Advertising and Communication
- Engaging with, and becoming integrated into the community
Key Challenges:
- Continue to build links with school and other churches
- Encourage individual and group involvement in the local community, including groups that already use the hall
- Re-do external publicity at church (notice board etc.)
Dynamic Discipleship
- Having a faith that affects our actions, and actions that reflect our faith
- Going on this journey together
Key Challenges:
- Explore ways to equip people for whole-life discipleship, deepening their understanding of the Bible and how it affects our day to day living
- Equip people to share Jesus and articulate their faith
- Develop and grow home groups and accountability structures
- Do activities as a church that create a link between the church and links with individuals and groups outside
Spiritual Awareness
- Listening to God
- Worshipping God
- Ministering to people’s spiritual needs
Key Challenges:
- Develop a prayer ministry team
- Encourage active worshippers rather than passive observers
- Make time for the Holy Spirit to move and speak to us
- Gain teaching and training on engaging with the spiritual realms