Dozens of church leaders from across our diocese gathered at a Leading your Church into Growth () conference from 7 to 8 July to look at ways we can help our churches to grow and flourish.
The conference, hosted at St Alphege, Seasalter looked at growth in three ways; in numbers of followers of Jesus, depth of discipleship, and the vitality of relationships with churches’ communities and parishes.
Neville Emslie, Director of Mission and Ministry, and Steve Coneys, Mission and Growth Advisor, organised and guided the conference inviting over 100 church leaders to focus on the numerical and spiritual growth of the church, with Steve already looking forward to, ‘another conference in March 2025’ hopeful of a similar turnout.
Steve said, “The main outcome is the revitalisation in all our contexts, this conference was spot on target for that. It is about the growth in numbers and the depth and vitality of mission” with Neville equally agreeing that “the revitalisation happens when people get together.”
Rev Grace Sentamu Baverstock (pictured below), part of the national LyCiG team, emphasised the importance of the conference to ‘demystify what it is for a church to flourish and grow’ stimulating new ways for church leaders to develop their communities and grow in the depth of discipleship.
Over the two days, the conference stimulated thinking and action through seven sessions, allowing time for morning worships on both days for leaders to come together as a community. Each session reflected an aspect of the three bold outcomes for 2030: doubling the number of children and young disciples, 200 new Christian communities and parishes, benefices and deaneries showing signs of revitalisation.
Reflecting on the conference, Revd Michael Darkins, St Leonards in Hythe, said, “It was an incredible opportunity to gather with other across the diocese, reflecting on ways to make the church more welcoming, inclusive and vibrant places.”
If you would like to know more about upcoming conferences, please get in touch with Sarah Lucas – SLucas@diocant.org
