A mixed bag? Lifting the lid on God’s gifts to our church

God’s goodness Five times in its history the church has been said to be going to the dogs; and each time it is the dog who has died G.K. Chesterton

God’s gifts: children  “The children are leaving the Church” 5000 in Christian youth groups 5000 in Christian youth groups 5000 non church youth enjoying church based activities 5000 non church youth enjoying church based activities 150 church groups offering 3000 places for toddlers and babies 150 church groups offering 3000 places for toddlers and babies 8000 young people in uniformed groups 8000 young people in uniformed groups  In Church but not always on Sundays

God’s gifts: buildings  Worship  Witness  Work for us, not hinder us St Thomas, Golborne St Thomas, Golborne St Paul’s, Skelmersdale St Paul’s, Skelmersdale St Ann, Rainhill St Ann, Rainhill St Ann, Warrington St Ann, Warrington St Thomas, Seaforth St Thomas, Seaforth

God’s gifts: service  Part of the largest volunteer base in the country with many gifts and talents Church based Community projects Church based Community projects 2000 with access to Credit Unions 2000 with access to Credit Unions 6,300 helped with housing and homelessness 6,300 helped with housing and homelessness Church people working in partnership with and for their communities Church people working in partnership with and for their communities  Church Urban Fund: £2 million to lever in a further £14 million of funding

God’s gifts: money  In 2000 God’s people gave £5,147,000 to the ministry of the church. Total income was £10,600,000  Parishes hold £6 million in free reserves and as much again in restricted reserves  On average taxpayers give £6.61 per week and non taxpayers £2.25 each week

God’s gifts: opportunity  The 5+2 principle  A 10% increase by tax payers – that’s just 61 pence per week would bring in £380,000  To meet half the shortfall of £1million all we need is just 34p extra per worshipper each week.  There is potential for many of our church members to give more, to give more generously, more realistically and more prayerfully.

God’s gifts: vision  Vision and service increase people’s commitment as they respond to a sense of purpose and direction in the ministry of their church  The Renewal & Regeneration conference gave examples and celebrated vision and service in parishes across the diocese  “Faithfulness” and “small beginnings” are vital words for what God is doing in his church

A free gift: Resources dept.  Building Blocks: flexible resources for parishes providing tools for the job Vision Building for PCC days, planning groups Vision Building for PCC days, planning groups Budgets: creating and communicating them Budgets: creating and communicating them Christian Responsibility programmes for Time, Talents and Treasure Christian Responsibility programmes for Time, Talents and Treasure Project development and capital fundraising for church and community projects Project development and capital fundraising for church and community projects Crisis, what crisis? Support when it gets rough Crisis, what crisis? Support when it gets rough

A mixed bag? God has given us all the gifts we need