I was invited into the Diocese of Durham’s office at Cuthbert House, to meet the Transformation Vision Team. As a new person within a Diocese, there is a journey of getting to know people and the way that mission is currently shaped. As I begin to work through what the Rural Mission Role entails it is a joy to discover there are teams of people who have been active in mission in the Diocese for a while – and they have a website
So, yesterday I met with Alexander Jones, the “Growing Mission Strategic Lead”, and Ali Bianchi, the “Growing Churches Strategic Lead”. I found it helpful to learn from Ali that there is a group within the Diocese dedicated to growing churches… and in the words of their website:
We hope to see all our churches healthy and flourishing, as we know this is the underpinning of our Transformation vision. Foundational to this is prayer, and this forms a key thread of Growing Churches – enabling, resourcing, coordinating and energising the prayer life of our diocese. Alongside this, Growing Churches hopes to support and resource churches in deepening the culture and practice of discipleship in our congregations, offering coaching, resources and opportunities for learning together.
It was also great to hear from Alexander that there is a group that helps parishes through vacancy and putting together a Mission Action Plan for them. Again from the website:
Our deaneries and parishes are each unique in context, focus and opportunity, not to mention the specific challenges that each is facing. Local Transformation Planning will therefore need to be fitting in each case, facilitated by the Growing Mission team but held locally to ensure local vision and local need remain paramount. One key thread in Growing Mission is our Vacancy Audit Programme (VAP), which supports churches as they come into vacancy to reflect on their current position, identifying strengths and areas for development.
I think back to my meetings with Churchwardens in the Upper Weardale, and how they found the Vacancy Audit Programme so helpful. They have a Mission Action Plan, and in my “other” role as Interim Priest-in-Charge of Upper Weardale, I’m looking forward to reading our Benefice’s Mission Action Plan.
Reflecting on the meeting I had yesterday, I feel heartened to know that the Diocese of Durham has a structure in place for mission: a team of people thinking strategically, and enabling mission practically. I feel less alone as Rural Mission Lead, and excited to learn what resources the “Growing Mission Team” may have for me to use.