Plan for Growth in your context

We understand that not every parish is the same. In this diocese there are broadly three contexts that we serve:

Rural Multi-Parishes
Market Towns
Larger Towns.

Each of these unique contexts need to be handled differently and the Plan for Growth could be managed as per below:

Rural Multi-Parishes

Illustration of a rural church with a bicycle and postbox in the foreground

Each parish may want their own Listening Event to explore their priorities. After these events there is an opportunity to come together as a benefice to discuss what each church has discerned, in order to draw the benefice together around a Plan for Growth.

As a benefice agree three broad themes which you can do better together.
Across the benefice choose one priority that is specific to each parish church.

Market Towns

Illustration of a market town church nestled within the market town

You may find that people gather together in larger numbers around the town church, bringing unique missional opportunities. There may be more than one congregation, and there may be links with rural parish churches and/or Lightwave Groups.

Produce a Plan for Growth and agree three Benefice priorities which you can do better together.
Have one priority for each congregation/rural church.

Larger Towns

Illustration of a church within a larger town, with large buildings and buses surrounding it

You will want to develop ways that congregations can work together. You may wish to consider what other denominations are doing locally, and if you could partner with them. There may also be opportunities to engage with local government bodies to influence what happens in the town.

In your Plan for Growth agree three priorities as a benefice.

Page last updated: Tuesday 19th August 2025 2:09 PM