Vision & Mission Hope Church Sevenoaks

And the Vision for 2018 is: Doing Church bigger…

Hope Church: Vision for 2017 Have already seen some success in Doing Church Bigger during 2016 and 2017: 12-18 people respond to the Gospel – Newday/Alpha/Preaching Saw good numbers at many of our events - Church Easter Day Meal – Quiz Night. Ladies Breakfast had 114 guests. 151 at David Hamilton event (included 64 non Christians). We had 149 at baptisms. Have seen over 150 for regular Sunday. Number of visitors increasing. On a number of occasions have had over 20 visitors. Our kids work has increased in number – around double the size it was 12/18 months ago. Launched the Hope Church Music Academy Held the second Jobs Fair Re-launched the It’s a Treat event (84 kids in 2017: 25 in 2016) Average number attending Sunday mornings has increased – recently been averaging over 120 people

Hope Church: Vision for 2017 Have already seen some success in Doing Church Bigger during 2016 and 2017: Re-launched the website Begun working harder on promotion – Discipleship Series/It’s-a-Treat/Superheroes. Three adverts booked in the Sevenoaks Chronicle. Launched the Church Facebook account – now attracting good number of hits Poster in the Nationwide Made progress in compiling the preferred partners list – SDC and Crosslight/WKDA latest ones. Ran an equipping seminar on bereavement Connected with a church in Germany - Rheinbach Taken an offering and begun looking at a bigger building Ian employed and now coming into eldership Two Carol Services – over 200 to first and over 150 to the second

Hope Church: Vision for 2018 This year Doing Church Bigger also means: Loving bigger, caring bigger. Becoming bigger-hearted people.

Hope Church: Vision for 2018 Who are the poor? * Financially and economically * Socially and relationally * Aspirationally * Physically and mentally * Spiritually

Hope Church: Mission for 2018 To sponsor 5 children currently in poverty. To make their lives better and provide them with opportunity. To host a course to help people caught up with physical or mental abuse. To explore the development of links with the elderly through contact with Weald Heights: bringing the elderly into contact with the young (Tuesday mornings?). To explore the provision of basic mental health advice (eg depression and post-natal depression). To continue to build our preferred partners list, so that we can give effective assistance to people. (work in partnership).

Hope Church: Mission for 2018 To continue with our programme of increasing the size of the Mill Lane Centre. An offering towards this. Tithe and give to the poor. To reach out to the lost – advertise our events more! Christmas, Alpha Meal, Easter etc… To create a Welcome booklet explaining who we are and what we do. To explore the idea of a Christmas Meal on Christmas Day for anyone who is on their own on that day. To attend the Father Heart Conference. To re-form the Prayer Ministry Team – under Malcolm

Hope Church: Mission for 2018 To hold other seminars to help us understand and care for people who are struggling. Eg Domestic Abuse. For us to personally ask the question: how can I do love bigger?

Hope Church: Mission for 2018 Shape: Alpha – New Year to Easter Exploring Membership – June Freedom in Christ – Sept to Dec Also, Restored Lives course – Newday – Father Heart Conference. Social Events

Hope Church: Vision for 2018 But what does Doing Church Bigger mean for you and me?

What changes when churches grow? You stop knowing everyone New people arrive and take positions of authority Your needs may be overlooked at times You may well face disappointments Persecution and difficulties increase The need for generousity increases Needs grow The need for teamwork increases

What else is needed? To be filled with the Holy Spirit To pray To be bold

Hope Church: Vision for 2018 Doing Church Bigger: Loving bigger, caring bigger. Becoming bigger-hearted people.

Vision & Mission Hope Church Sevenoaks