GROWING DISCIPLES AND SETTING GOD’S PEOPLE FREE ACROSS THE DIOCESE
GROWING DISCIPLES AND SETTING GOD’S PEOPLE FREE ACROSS THE DIOCESE • Update on engagement with the SGPF report • Share some of the early developments and resources being produced nationally • Share the work of the Common Vision discipleship stream and its incorporation of the SGPF principles • Present the pilot proposals and enable Synod to engage and comment on them
Lay people of all ages and backgrounds formed and equipped to follow Jesus confidently in every sphere of life in ways that make the truth of the Gospel evident in the world. Setting God’s People Free’ GS2056
GROWING DISCIPLES AND SETTING GOD’S PEOPLE FREE ACROSS THE DIOCESE To achieve this vision requires: • Deep culture change in our churches • The development of renewed and mutual relationships between ordained and lay people • The need for consistent engagement at all levels to ensure that the impetus continues
What has been happening in the Diocese since Diocesan Synod March 2017
GROWING DISCIPLES AND SETTING GOD’S PEOPLE FREE ACROSS THE DIO IOCESE • Diocese part of 2 nd tranche of Dioceses in the national SGPF learning community process o first gathering May 2018 o further gatherings November /May 2019
GROWING DISCIPLES AND SETTING GOD’S PEOPLE FREE ACROSS THE DIO IOCESE • LICC delivering 2 CMD days in 2018 and further planned in 2019 • Second cohort of Partnership for Missional Church launched February 2018 o Learning and impact of PMC process being explored in wider SGPF discussions
PMC strengthens discipleship & lay involvement • 71% of respondents said that PMC had had a significant or very significant impact on their discipleship • 76% of survey respondents had taken on new roles or responsibilities
Common Vision discipleship working group • releasing the gifts and skills of the whole people of God and enabling lay leadership at the heart becoming more Christ-like Christians; people who are living out their faith in ways which are contemplative, compassionate and courageous. • SGPF a key resource for the emerging priorities
Challenging and changing the culture in our churches
becoming more Christ-like Christians
“Did we not feel l our hearts burning wit ithin us?” “May the light of your presence, O God, Set our hearts on fi fire wit ith love for you.”
our Christian journey begins with a call. like Moses, we step aside from the path, curious, and find ourselves on burning bush holy ground.
exploring and learning with others the Word re-sounds among us!
The local church welcome, teaching, friendship
baptism: we’re signed up
then what? How might our faith deepen and mature? How might the journey continue? What does it mean to live a Christian life - contemplative, compassionate, courageous How do we tend the flame?
firepits compassion reflection encouragement nourishment prayer contemplation dwelling in the Word of God what are we noticing? sharing stories and concerns what God is doing?
bonfire parties gather high quality teaching lively larger groups conversation challenge joy Monday to Saturday celebration encouragement
refiner’s fire God working in us purifying our hearts directing our longings what is my pathway? who can I talk to deepening our about it? relationship
courageous to be flamebearers Christ in advocate the world work campaign agents of transformation volunteer parent equipped to go out ‘to live and work to your praise and glory’ witness to God’s love announce God’s Kingdom
Questions for discussion: Q. 1 How can your church improve the connection between its gathered life as a worshipping community and the daily lives of its members? What changes could be started now? Q.2 Most of our lives as Christians are lived from Monday to Saturday. How do you respond to what you have heard about ‘firepits’ ‘bonfire parties’ ‘personal discipleship plans? What might this look like in your context?
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