This page was published until September 2021, but was withdrawn on the suggestion of the PCC Secretary, as it was in need of significant updating. The bullet-point on the Vision Overview webpage read as follows ...
- What Next? is an on-going programme, based on the Five Marks of Mission framework, to develop ourselves as a church and our links with the community.
Since 2015, St Michael's has had a development programme based on the Five Marks of Mission framework. We looked at St Michael's and our parish of Tilehurst, and identified some initiatives we could take to develop ourselves and our links with the community. The whole programme is known as What Next?
"It is not the church of God that has a mission in the world, but the God of mission who has a church in the world". Tim Dearborn
The Five Marks explained
We began with a series of sermons in October and November 2015.
- Initial Sermon - An introduction to the Five Marks of Mission.
- Sermon on the First Mark - Tell - to proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom.
- Sermon on the Second Mark - Teach - to teach, baptise and nurture believers.
- Sermon on the Third Mark - Tend - to respond to human need by loving service.
- Sermon on the Fourth Mark - Transform - to seek to transform unjust structures of society, to challenge violence of every kind, and to pursue peace and reconciliation.
- Sermon on the Fifth Mark - Treasure - to strive to safeguard the integrity of creation, and to sustain and renew the life of the earth.
How we started
The sermons were followed by a parish workshop, attended by 27 people, and led by Rev Catharine Morris, the Diocesan Parish Development Advisor. Her initial questions were on how well we knew our parish of Tilehurst. The profile of those who live there is
- 21% are under 16
- 41% have a mortgage
- 61% are Christian
- 2% are Muslim
- 22% do not have a car or van
- 23% over 16 have a degree.
She then led us through a series of group discussions:
- What would you miss at St Michael's if it disappeared ?
- What gaps exist at St Michael's ?
- How, in five years' time, could St Michaels demonstrates each Mark of Mission ?
The objective was to enable each of us to work through what we might personally do, rather than what should be done. The results of the group discussions were reported and, individual attendees submitted personal responses.
Follow up
Feedback from the parish day and additional response forms submitted by those unable to attend were collated by a steering group. A draft 'action plan' was presented to the PCC, and then to the congregation In January and February 2016.
The ground rules adopted by the steering group were:
- Don't start from scratch - start from where we are.
- Celebrate and build on what we already do well.
- Don't try to do too much - select a few things to do well which we have the energy and willing volunteers to complete.
What Next? update
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