1. St Mary’s Bowdon Strategies for a growing parish Roger Preece

2. Bowdon Greater Manchester

7. Growth Action Plan (GAP) In response to key challenges for a “successful” parish Aging congregation Volunteer fatigue Limited children/youth work No strategy for mission Internal focus

8. Bowdon Parish Students Families – with Primary Children Teenagers Families with Babies & Toddlers Younger Adults Elderly & infirm Retired & Able Older Adults

9. Believing Antagonistic Not Interested Tentative Faith Committed Christian Disciple Fully Committed

10. Belonging Not connected Some connection Occasional Attendance Regular Worshippers Minor Responsibility Major Responsibility

11. Believing Belonging Movement towards faith and towards belonging is not synchronised Increasing sense of belonging gives more opportunities for developing faith As faith is encouraged some choose not to belong

12. Strategy Help people move on the journey towards discipleship based on where they are starting from Challenge Each demographic has different needs

13. Develop Activities and Programmes based on the different stages of the journey Making a Connection Introducing Faith Worship and Discipleship

14. Youth – Example – Making a connection

15. Youth Example – Introducing Faith

16. Youth Example – Worship and Discipleship

17. Bowdon Parish Students Families – with Primary Children Teenagers Families with Babies & Toddlers Younger Adults Elderly & infirm Retired & Able Older Adults

18. Bowdon Parish Students Families – with Primary Children Teenagers Families with Babies & Toddlers Younger Adults Elderly & infirm Retired & Able Sunday School Assemblies Cubs/Brownies All Age Worship School CU Youth Clubs Duke of Edinburgh Street Academy Cell Groups Confirmation Baptism prep Toddler Groups Toddler Service Men’s Breakfast Wedding Prep Life Recovery Confirmation Mid week communion Lunch club Bowdon Festival Morning Prayer Few in the parish no support Lent course Prayer Workshops Life Recovery Home visiting Mid week communion Lunch club Morning Prayer Bickham house Older Adults

19. Intentional Strategies for Growth can be fruitful Measurement is difficult Some indicators of growth over the last six years Lots of work to be done