Vicar’s Vicar’s addressaddress

The Church Life The Church Life CycleCycle

Where are we now?Where are we now? Where do we need Where do we need

to go?to go? How do we get How do we get

there?there?

The Church Life CycleThe Church Life Cycle

Time

Numbers

Viability

The Church Life CycleThe Church Life Cycle

Time

Numbers

A: fast growing, but not yet viable church

needs resourcing from outsideThis is Christ Church!

Viability

The Church Life CycleThe Church Life Cycle

Time

Numbers

Viability

B: growing, but viable churchalways pain: never enough

resources

A

The The Church Church

Life Life CycleCycle

Time

Numbers

Viability

A

B

C: static, but viable churchthe problem: living

comfortably!the solution: reform and

plantThis is St John’s

The Church Life CycleThe Church Life Cycle

Time

Numbers

Viability

A

B

C

D: declining, but viable

dead in one generation

needs re-invention

The Church Life CycleThe Church Life Cycle

Time

Numbers

Viability

A

B

C

D

E: declining, non-viable dead in this generation needs to be closed

Where are we now?Where are we now?

St John’sSt John’s a viable church on a plateaua viable church on a plateau we are heading towards the edge: we we are heading towards the edge: we

need to act!need to act! Christ ChurchChrist Church

a growing church, but not yet able to a growing church, but not yet able to stand alonestand alone

Where do we need to go?Where do we need to go?

St John’s need St John’s need reformingreforming to take us from “C” to “B”to take us from “C” to “B” moving from comfort to pain!moving from comfort to pain! moving from membership to ministrymoving from membership to ministry

re-establishing the leadership course in the re-establishing the leadership course in the autumnautumn

sharpening the focus on evangelismsharpening the focus on evangelism re-inventing the Evangelism Strategy Groupre-inventing the Evangelism Strategy Group being willing to accept change for the sake being willing to accept change for the sake

of the newcomerof the newcomer

Where do we need to go?Where do we need to go?

planning for growthplanning for growth which means pressing ahead with the which means pressing ahead with the

building projectbuilding project planning for another church plant (but planning for another church plant (but

not just yet!)not just yet!) Christ Church needs Christ Church needs resourcingresourcing

She is growing up, but hasn’t left home!She is growing up, but hasn’t left home!

How do we get there?How do we get there?

The source of church growthThe source of church growth Always and only the triune God.Always and only the triune God.

‘‘I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but but God made it growGod made it grow.’ (1 Cor. 3.6).’ (1 Cor. 3.6)

‘‘And in [Christ] you too are being built And in [Christ] you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.’ (Eph 2.22)lives by his Spirit.’ (Eph 2.22)

We should make plans about how best We should make plans about how best to ‘plant’ and ‘water’: but we always to ‘plant’ and ‘water’: but we always depend on the Lord to give the growth.depend on the Lord to give the growth.

How do we get there?How do we get there?

The means of church growthThe means of church growth Always and only the word of GodAlways and only the word of God

‘‘the word of God grew and multiplied’ (Acts 12.24, the word of God grew and multiplied’ (Acts 12.24, cf 6.7, 19.20, Mark 4.8,14, 1 Pet 1.23-2.3)cf 6.7, 19.20, Mark 4.8,14, 1 Pet 1.23-2.3)

‘‘It was [the ascended Christ] who gave some to be It was [the ascended Christ] who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God’s people for works of serviceto prepare God’s people for works of service, , so that the body of Christ may be built up …’ (Eph so that the body of Christ may be built up …’ (Eph 4.11ff)4.11ff)

The word of God must be central in all our The word of God must be central in all our activities.activities.

‘‘I commit you I commit you to God and to to God and to

the word of his the word of his grace, which grace, which can build you can build you up and give up and give

you an you an inheritance inheritance among all among all

those who are those who are sanctified.’ sanctified.’ (Acts 20.32)(Acts 20.32)