growing churches making disciples developing leaders

St. Peter’s Saltley Trust

6 research …identified key questions…

6  What is important about a vacancy?  What sort of churches are most vulnerable to losing people?  What is the impact of vacancy length?  What should we do to prepare for a vacancy?  What can we do in the vacancy to help us thrive and grow?  What helps us grow after a vacancy?

‘Overall, we are not losing people from churches with a vicar in place, just from churches struggling with vacancies.’ Bob Jackson what is important about a vacancy? 1

over what sort of churches are most vulnerable to losing people? new people many living outside parish

over what is the impact of vacancy length? Keep it short… ideally around six months people living outside parish

what should we do to prepare for a vacancy? grow leaders share leadership

4 what should we do to prepare for a vacancy? hand over responsibilities

4 what should we do to prepare for a vacancy? MAP

15 what can we do in the vacancy to help us thrive and grow? key pieces of advice

1 15 stay united and deal with conflict

2 15 value the paid staff, but don’t expect them to be the vicar

3 15 spread the load

4 15 be clear about who is in charge

5 15 don’t stop changing

6 15 look for quality and continuity in leading worship

7 15 consider an interim minister

8 15 organise the pastoral care

9 15 the newcomers

10 15 encourage regular attendance

11 15 review the programme, but maintain it if you can

12 15 communicate communicate communicate

13 15 deal with transition, acknowledge emotions

14 15 keep good relations with the patron, deanery and diocese

15 pray

15 6 what helps us grow after the vacancy? bits of advice  Don’t dump it all back on the new vicar  Don’t give up on the lapsed  Be ready to change to grow  Be ready for greater financial commitment

A vacancy… it’s not a problem, it’s an opportunity.

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growing churches making disciples developing leaders