1. Church School: A place for mission and discipleship?

2. Mission-what is it? Defining mission matters
Church Schools already deliver high quality worship and bible centred RE with a strong emphasis on Christianity
Is this mission?
Balancing non-proselytisation and a missional focus
What does this look like-implicit/explicit evangelism
Missional opportunities using schools
Church based
Admissions criteria, invitational services, festival services
School based
Clubs and activities, school services in church, a place in the structure for church individuals/incumbents
Mission-what is it? evangelism, witness, proselytisation-brief discussion with delegates
Define implicit and explicit evangelism
Discuss the opportunities their benefits and draw backs

3. What can’t you do? Convert on the state!
At no point can state money be used for the furtherance of faith. Therefore, all Christian activities must be extra-curricular
Worship is legally required to be broadly Christian and daily
RE is required to be taught in line with the Trust Deed
no assumption of faith
Clarify the limits of the church in schools

4. What you can do?
Use our vision for schools We are committed to ensure that each of our children and young people have the following attributes and confidences as they leave our schools and make their way in the world:
Reference vision

5. know how to pray
know the Christian belief that they are loved by God
understand the story of salvation revealed in the Bible and fulfilled in Jesus Christ
have explored, and know how to explore the Christian faith

6. be guided by a spiritual compass based on gospel values and the person of Jesus
love their neighbour and seek to serve them, to bring justice, and to embrace both sacrifice and service
understand the life-long transformational effect of God for individuals, communities and nations

7. We are equally committed to seeing these attributes and confidences develop in our wider school community

8. What is the role of the parish with church schools in faith development. Key Question: Where does mission stop and discipleship begin?
Key Question: Where does mission stop and discipleship begin?

9. Worship Accessible worship in church and school Narrated services
Exploring symbolism
Shared hymns/songs
Assuming no understanding of faith and church
Welcome
How to build good relationships- importance of talking and sharing
Don’t expect HTs to attend your church on a regular basis
Don’t expect the school to fill your church on a Sunday

10. Discipleship with children
Discipleship opportunities (JAM club, Christian Union, Bible challenge)
Confirmation
Discipleship with adults
Teachers (understanding the Christian faith)
Parents (school based Alpha)
Community (invitation services, events)
Discuss options for different discipleship activities
Who can do it? Not always incumbent, how to support and equip teachers or TAs or volunteers
Adult discipleship is linking the church to school events and intentionally engaging with the community and parents. List examples

11. Linking effectively with staff, parents and pupils
Examples of good practice
List ideas for being known as church with the parents and community-exploiting the link
Ie . Meet and greet. School gate, parents evening service and support etc

12. Shared use of buildings
Benefits
Church and school are one and the same
No extraction of faith from the school
Unchurched feel it is a safe space-comfortable
Relevant and at the heart of community
Efficiency-Shared costs
Examples of how it can be
Opportunity to physically do work to connect the two buildings where possible-conditions and considerations

13. Headaches Demarcation of church and school Funerals Church events
Choices of presentation
What to do when the personalities change
The importance of written agreements
Share our pain- advise on how to avoid the same issues in future

14. School church plant or new congregation
What can it look like?
Best times?
Connecting with the wider parish comminute
Emphasise the need to do things differently
Church at a basic enquirer level-active and engaging
Bold steps! Drop a Sunday service and move to midweek at the school-discuss

15. The role of the vicar
Balancing the multiple hats of the incumbent as governor, pastor, spiritual leader for the parish and school trustee
Power or influence?
Pressure points for clergy
Quick wins
Don’t do everything
Don’t interfere-influence
THE IMPORTANCE OF PARTNERSHIP
Spirit of service not control- not easy with some HTs

16. The role of lay members of the church
How to engage?
Prayer groups.
Sponsor role
Open the book
Worship team
Learning through the church building
List ideas and amplify as necessary

17. Questions