Resources for engaging with faith, church and community
‘Come and see.’ John 1:39
About the Engage Cycle: We are drawn to engage with the Christian faith, discovering an invitation into relationship with Jesus and into community with others. For some, this begins with a conscious response to Christ’s invitation; for others, it unfolds more gradually over time. Along the way, baptism or a returning to the significance of baptism becomes a sign of belonging, new life, and grace.
Information
Our Creative Growth team offers targeted support to help churches reach new people in new ways in London Diocese.
The engage cycle could be seen as having two movements.
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Engaging with and learning our local community.
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Providing entry points for the local community to connect with church and start to belong.
1. Resources for engaging with and learning our community
A. Preparing the ground
Getting out of the church and praying in our local streets, parks and estates often leads to greater engagement with our communities. It may be through conversations we have with people we meet, or by God prompting us about the possibilities of responding to
local needs, or simply through God’s love for our neighbours, our community and ourselves being renewed.
B. Listening to and working with our community
Organising for Growth is a community organising approach that helps churches listen deeply to their local context and build relationships that lead to collective action for change.
The CUF Look Up Tool helps identify and understand who lives in your parish, and the real issues they may face
Partnership for Missional Church helps churches to listen deeply to God and their neighbours
2. Resources for helping our communities connect and belong
A. Belonging first activities
B. "Soft-entry" environments
Messy Church helps churches engage families and all-age communities through hospitality, creativity, and shared activity, often reaching people who would not connect with traditional church settings.
