This weekend, 25 people from around the Diocese took part in the first Ely Diocesan Leading your Church into Growth conference. The conference ran with a combination of Zoom input, with most churches meeting in groups for in-person discussions during the weekend. Churches provided a good looking spread of food and drink for their attendees, leaving some of the LyCiG team asking if they could get home delivery!
The conference began by reminding us that we need to begin with prayer and focussed on building a prayerful culture within our churches, intentionally praying for growth (in discipleship as well as numbers). Brother Roger of Taize once said "When the church becomes a house of prayer the people will come running."
Central to the Thy Kingdom Come initiative is praying for growth in the Kingdom of God through individuals encountering the love of Christ. Who are you praying for?
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you.
For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds;
and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
Matthew 7:7-8
Deputy Director of Mission and Ministry Peter Leech said after the conference, "It was a real privilege to be able to journey with these individuals and I left the conference with a deep sense of hope and expectation as people were making plans and thinking through 'next-steps'."
You may want to use the Leading your Church into Growth prayer (below) with your PCCs, or during the weekly Sunday service, or in your own prayer time.
To register you interest in future Leading your Church into Growth conferences in Ely Diocese, please get in touch with us on missonandministry@elydiocese.org.
Leading your Church into Growth prayer
God of Mission
Who alone brings growth to your Church,
Send your Holy Spirit to give
Vision to our planning,
Wisdom to our actions,
Joy to our worship,
And power to our witness.
Help our church to grow in numbers,
In spiritual commitment to you,
And in service to our local community,
Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen
