Helping parishes reach more people
The diocese has partnered with Pioneering Parishes to give each of its 808 churches access to a range of courses and events aimed at equipping attendees with the knowledge and skills to reach out into their local area. Sign-ups have now closed for this course, stay tuned for information of future courses.
Read about how Pioneering Parishes can help support your church to reach out into the community.
You can sign up for the following upcoming events:
First steps - starts Thursday 3 October 2024
Four webinars which help both priests and lay people discover pioneering; what it is and why it’s integral to healthy parish life. Case studies and ideas are shared along with practical tools, enabling churches to begin to consider how they can shift their energy outwards into the community. Find out more and sign up.
Culture change in practice - starts Monday 16th September 2024
Four webinars for church leaders grappling with the challenge of developing a pioneering culture and a mixed ecology of church. Together we’ll share our experiences and wisdom and be encouraged by ideas and case studies. Participants receive tools to enable lasting culture change. Find out more and sign up.
Values day - Saturday, 5 October 2024
Discerning who we aspire to be for God and our community: this online training day will give you the tools to ask the right questions, identify values and adopt them. Find out more and sign up.
Growing your church - "Come for the morning, leave with a plan!"
The Diocese of Oxford Growing New Congregations team offers a tailored approach to growing your church. We believe this is a challenge every church faces, whether a small rural church or one in a large city.
Every church is unique in its culture and community and many across our diocese are praying for growth. What works in one context may not work in your particular church. However, we can provide some useful guidelines that will help you to join in with where God is already blessing mission in your community.
In 2024, the 'Growing Your Church' workshops will be held in each Episcopal Area. If you would like to be kept informed of future events or anything else related to Growing Your Church, please email liza.thompson@oxford.anglican.org.
Feedback from previous events
Community Gardens
There were two things in particular that I found inspiring about the presentation on 23 March about starting a new congregation based on a community garden: how establishing the garden integrated with all the other things the church was doing in the community, and how gardening (like craft activities and music-making) puts people in touch with the joys of being a co-creator.
Dr Shirley M Northover
Licensed Lay Minister, St Peter’s, Wootton
"Growing Your Church"
I saw [the event] advertised just as I was trying to set up what I hope will be a new congregation in Garsington: Tea-Time Church. So I've come along looking for a bit of support and advice and some ideas, and I’ve found it a very helpful morning and I’m looking forward to coming back to our Tea-Time Church inspired and enthused.
The Revd Karen Charman
Vicar of Garsington, Cuddesdon and Horspath
Hear testimonials on previous new congregations events.
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