Vicars address The Church Life Cycle The Church Life Cycle Where are we now? Where are we now? Where do we need to go? Where do we need to go? How do we get there? How do we get there?

The Church Life Cycle Time Numbers Viability

The Church Life Cycle Time Numbers A: fast growing, but not yet viable church needs resourcing from outside This is Christ Church! Viability

The Church Life Cycle Time Numbers Viability B: growing, but viable church always pain: never enough resources A

The Church Life Cycle Time Numbers Viability A B C: static, but viable church the problem: living comfortably! the solution: reform and plant This is St Johns

The Church Life Cycle Time Numbers Viability A B C D:declining, but viable dead in one generation needs re-invention

The Church Life Cycle Time Numbers Viability A B C D E: declining, non-viable dead in this generation needs to be closed

Where are we now? St Johns St Johns a viable church on a plateau a viable church on a plateau we are heading towards the edge: we need to act! we are heading towards the edge: we need to act! Christ Church Christ Church a growing church, but not yet able to stand alone a growing church, but not yet able to stand alone

Where do we need to go? St Johns need reforming St Johns need reforming to take us from C to B to take us from C to B moving from comfort to pain! moving from comfort to pain! moving from membership to ministry moving from membership to ministry re-establishing the leadership course in the autumn re-establishing the leadership course in the autumn sharpening the focus on evangelism sharpening the focus on evangelism re-inventing the Evangelism Strategy Group re-inventing the Evangelism Strategy Group being willing to accept change for the sake of the newcomer being willing to accept change for the sake of the newcomer

Where do we need to go? planning for growth planning for growth which means pressing ahead with the building project which means pressing ahead with the building project planning for another church plant (but not just yet!) planning for another church plant (but not just yet!) Christ Church needs resourcing Christ Church needs resourcing She is growing up, but hasnt left home! She is growing up, but hasnt left home!

How do we get there? The source of church growth The source of church growth Always and only the triune God. Always and only the triune God. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (1 Cor. 3.6) I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. (1 Cor. 3.6) And in [Christ] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph 2.22) And in [Christ] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit. (Eph 2.22) We should make plans about how best to plant and water: but we always depend on the Lord to give the growth. We should make plans about how best to plant and water: but we always depend on the Lord to give the growth.

How do we get there? The means of church growth The means of church growth Always and only the word of God Always and only the word of God the word of God grew and multiplied (Acts 12.24, cf 6.7, 19.20, Mark 4.8,14, 1 Pet ) the word of God grew and multiplied (Acts 12.24, cf 6.7, 19.20, Mark 4.8,14, 1 Pet ) It was [the ascended Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up … (Eph 4.11ff) It was [the ascended Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare Gods people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up … (Eph 4.11ff) The word of God must be central in all our activities. The word of God must be central in all our activities.

I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20.32)