Backdrop:  Dropping numbers and older age profile  Drop in number of ministers of Word and Sacrament – projected 25% in 10 years  Some congregations struggling to find office-bearers to fill key positions;  decreasing income emerging  a few congregations experiencing a measure of numerical growth;  Fresh Expressions of Church being developed – but very “early days”

Looking Forward – national perspective Developing outreach and mission seen as crucial

focus on maintaining what we currently do Adapt what we do Weighted to new initiatives Balance between maintain & develop other

We change how we teach the Gospel and reach the people, but we DO NOT CHANGE what God has said. its not a question of new or old initiatives but on focussing on what works in different places towards mission and growth in faith

We need a radical slash and burn approach, no longer being held back by sentimentality. Not missional - no evidence that works. Focus on discipleship. That seems to work better for Church Growth, ie give people purpose, responsibility, actions etc rather than keep the numbers up. Focus on people rather than numbers

I agree that our focus needs to shift to the world outside the walls of the church, but not just to ensure our own survival (to 'draw others in'). And same problem again, who is to be doing all this innovative stuff? Am I to refuse to conduct funerals/ visit schools/ take Sunday Services/ talk to the Guild/visit hospitals in order to start new initiatives which the church members who pay my stipend are not interested in?

Looking Forward – national perspective A need for others to take on roles or responsibilities currently carried by full time Ministers of Word & sacrament

Looking Forward – national perspective Building church which includes younger generations seen as important

A church where people of all generations grow in faith and share in active participation

Presbytery of Lothian To create a vibrant Christian witness in every community across Presbytery Not necessarily Sunday morning service in every community A church building in every community.

Research suggests: Ministers have an absolutely crucial role in this Where there is not a minster a key local leader is needed Spreading ministers too thinly is counter productive!

Either: Effect lots of unions to match the number of ministers Or: Develop a pattern where some churches thrive without a minister!

No major programme of unions or links consider this where congregations themselves wish to pursue it some parishes would function without a minister of Word and Sacrament where a church is not sustainable, it may be preferable to dissolve it rather than unite it or link it with another

Allocation of ministers: Population of a parish should not be the only factor to take into consideration ability of a congregation to pay for a minister should not be only factor either We asked how we should weight different factors last time round and didn’t come to a firm conclusion A “formula” may not be the way forward

Other forms of local leadership should be developed, including (but not exclusively) further use of Ordained Local Ministers.

That congregations engaging in active outreach and mission be given incentives and support in developing this

Need to allow for and encourage development of new models of church, with ongoing support provided for such ventures.

Full discussion of this at June Presbytery! Discuss this at your Kirk Sessions before then