Growth in a medium-sized Parish Church St Mary’s Bowdon with St Luke’s What is working for us Katharine Perera Revd Roger Preece 4 December 2014 #EvidenceToAction From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014

Bowdon Greater Manchester From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

2009 onwards Growth Action Planning GAP1 to GAP4 From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

FROM ANECDOTE TO EVIDENCE Findings from the Church Growth Research Programme From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Bowdon Parish aspires to be: A community of worshipping disciples on a mission From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Bowdon Parish Students Families with Primary Children Teenagers Families with Babies & Toddlers Younger Adults Elderly & infirm Retired & Able Older Adults From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Belonging Major Responsibility Not connected Some connection Occasional Attendance Regular Worshipper Minor Responsibility y From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Believing Antagonistic Not Interested Tentative Faith Committed Christian Fully Committed Disciple From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Belonging Believing Increasing a sense of belonging gives more opportunities for people to grow in faith and journey along the path of believing. From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Develop activities and programmes based on the different stages of the journey of discipleship Making a connection Introducing faith Worship and discipleship From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Activities that encourage connection: Bowdon Street Academy From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Activities that encourage connection: Bowdon Street Academy Youth Groups From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Activities that encourage connection: Bowdon Street Academy Youth Groups Duke of Edinburgh award scheme From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Activities that encourage connection: Bowdon Street Academy Youth Groups Duke of Edinburgh award scheme Men’s and women’s breakfast groups From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Activities that encourage connection: Bowdon Street Academy Youth Groups Duke of Edinburgh award scheme Men’s and women’s breakfast groups Bowdon Festival at St Mary’s From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Activities that encourage connection: Bowdon Street Academy Youth Groups Duke of Edinburgh award scheme Men’s and women’s breakfast groups Bowdon Festival at St Mary’s Bowdon Business Fair From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Widening the circle of volunteers From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Nurturing disciples: ‘Soul Survivor’ From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Nurturing disciples: ‘Soul Survivor’ 5 Mettle groups From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Nurturing disciples: ‘Soul Survivor’ 5 Mettle groups Christian Union groups From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Nurturing disciples: ‘Soul Survivor’ 5 Mettle groups Christian Union groups Exploring Christianity courses From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Nurturing disciples: ‘Soul Survivor’ 5 Mettle groups Christian Union groups Exploring Christianity courses 10 adult cell groups From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Nurturing disciples: ‘Soul Survivor’ 5 Mettle groups Christian Union groups Exploring Christianity courses 10 adult cell groups Life Recovery groups From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Styles of worship From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Styles of worship Café Sundae From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Styles of worship: Café Sundae Zone2 From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Bowdon Parish Students Families with Primary Children Teenagers Families with Babies & Toddlers Younger Adults Elderly & infirm Retired & Able Children’s Church All Age Worship School Assemblies Youth Groups Duke of Edinburgh Street Academy Christian Union Mettle Groups Soul Survivor Confirmation Baptism prep Toddler Groups ‘First Steps’ Service Men’s Breakfast Women’s Breakfast Wedding Prep Zone2 Exploring Christianity Confirmation Morning Prayer Mid week communion Bowdon Festival Coffee, cake and conversation Lunch club Few in the parish no support Men’s Breakfast Women’s Breakfast Cell groups Bowdon Festival Life Recovery Home visiting Mid week communion Lunch club Morning Prayer Bickham House Bowdon Cares Older Adults From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction

Facilitating factors: New appointments Increased giving The Parish Centre Visionary leadership From Evidence to Action 4 th December 2014 #EvidenceToAction