S T P A U L ' SST ALBANS

SETTING OUR DIRECTION

To pursue God and expect theextraordinary, as God works

through us to transformpeople and places

February 2020

HOW DO WE MAKE THIS VISION A REALITY?

We have identified four key objectives to grow and developat this time.

Transformation              Mission 

Community               Wellbeing

For each there are ‘Priority Action Areas’ to take forward.

We need a balance between planning ahead and remainingresponsive. Our plans need to respond to God’s leading andto changes around us, so they will be flexible, dynamic andunpredictable. We will learn and adapt as we try newapproaches. Some areas we know need to change – but it’snot yet clear how. We need to pray, listen and think furtheron how this might happen. Please join us in this. 

Our Vision is:To be a people pursuing God and expecting the extraordinary,as He works through us to transform people and places.

within the church, supportingand encouraging one another

as we take God out to thosearound us: mission starts withrelationships

We depend on encountering andengaging with God, and beingtransformed by Him

Authentic relationships are key:

We long to be a healthy churchwhere everyone is engaged, takingactive ownership of theircontribution to the community

We recognise that we mustunderstand and respond to thechanging culture around us if weare to reach new people effectively.What we have done in the past mayno longer work

We seek to create accessiblejourneys into faith and freedom

We want to address the lifepressures faced both by ourselvesand those around us, through abalanced approach to wellbeingthat embraces lifestyle, medicineand miracles

St Paul’s wantseveryone, within andoutside the churchfamily, to experienceand celebrate ‘life inall its fullness’ John 10:10

His will His way Our faith

Vision into Action KEY THEMES

Coming into God’s presence through worship, honouring God and being transformedby Him Growing in hearing from and talking to God, through the Bible and the Holy SpiritNurturing our relationship with God through worship, Bible reading, prayer,intercessions, spiritual disciplines, teaching Growing in spiritual gifts, seeking and expecting the extraordinary

Create services that are relevant and accessible to newcomers and which also equip, encourageand inspire existing membersProvide worship that helps people encounter God and hear HimPromote cross generational relationshipsBe more deliberate in passing on some of the great things that are happening

How?

Intentions (things we intend to do, but don't yet know exactly how)

Vision into Action

Ensure clear 'take home' messages from servicesLook with fresh eyes at all our services. We are currently reviewing the 10.30Am service andevaluating changes to the 6.30pmProvide focussed opportunities to encounter God e.g. Healing Room, Jo Moody, prayer ministryDevelop small groups that provide effective support networks, share life experiences and growin faith Continue children’s and youth activities in existing framework, developing ways to

Actions

share and build faith for church and non church families. Promote mentoring.

Showing God’s love and helping people encounter Him, wherever we are in our dailylivesBeing intentional and bold in our conversations, growing in hearing God’s promptingBeing salt and light, influencing our communitiesSupporting people wherever God calls them to go

Encourage a culture of invitingBuild confidence in sharing faith, learning to be open to God's promptingsSupport people wherever God calls them to go

How?

Intentions (things we intend to do, but don't yet know exactly how)

Vision into Action

Stepped approach into life in church e.g Tots - Nourish - Parenting - AlphaProvide training for volunteers in these pathway activities Explore opportunities to develop the concourse as a welcoming place and entry point whereyou can sit, have a coffee, meet friends and relax for a few moments Use sermons, seminars, small groups etc. to equip us to be light in our everyday livesSupport church members and the wider church in sharing the gospel, including social actionand care for creation

Actions

All church members recognise their role in welcoming and inviting both within thechurch family and in the community around us - culture shift to invitation, inclusion,building networksBuilding relationships in and outside the church, across all ages and ChristianexperienceWelcoming all into the family of the church, helping them engage in life-givingrelationships  Building pathways into the church family and to faithEncouraging hospitalitySharing concern for wider issues in society, including social action and care forcreation, using networks in St Albans and beyond

Develop concourse as a community hubDevelop more effective communications within church and outsideEncourage development of activity based small groups that have or can develop a faith focusalongside shared interests; publicise inside and outside St Paul’sPromote hospitality through encouraging invitations in homes and through church events

How?

Intentions (things we intend to do, but don't yet know exactly how)

Vision into Action

Working group to plan concourse development / old chancel / organ loftEstablish activity based small groupsWelcome and connect with people moving into the parish – such as the new housingdevelopments2020 Community Day as a showcase for St Paul’s with space for

Get involved – however small 

Actions

intentional conversations

Meeting the needs of the whole person, both within the Church family and those inour communityGrowing in holistic health - physically, relationally, emotionally and spiritually; in a‘medicine to miracles’ approach. Ranging from practical steps to health (changingbehaviours and thought patterns) through to praying for the miraculousPromoting healthy relationships within families, extended families and friendshipnetworks

Wellness becomes an integral part of church teaching and  worship, using a Bible based andChrist-centred approachDevelop activities that support people through life eventsDevelop resource and expertise for St Paul’s, the local community and the wider churchWork to integrate wellness in services and small groupsDevelop a networker or community of networkers to support and signpost activities and groups

How?

Intentions (things we intend to do, but don't yet know exactly how)

Vision into Action

Use a small pilot course to evaluate and transfer learning to courses, services and small groups Explore a pilot seminar series / course integrating professional approaches with Christianspirituality - e.g. sleep, diet, exercise etcContinue to provide listening, prayer ministry including healing, counselling and triage

Provide other courses for life stages e.g. marriage and parenting courses

Actions

support, CAP, and to train people in these ministries

What resources will we need to do all this?Any new activity will have resource implications, be it staff, volunteer time and skills,buildings and equipment. In some cases we will simply be approaching existing activitiesdifferently. We have considered the resource implications of each of the priority actionareas, and at this stage have identified a need for more communications resource; somechanges to the concourse and organ loft areas; some lighting improvements in church toenhance worship and events; and volunteers across a range of activities. Each of these willbe considered by PCC before any spending decisions are made.

Why have we undertaken this review?While great things are happening at St Paul’s, we want to be sure we are focussing on thespecific ways God is calling us now; to transform and be transformed, sharing Christ’sfreedom and fullness of life.  We hope that defining our direction more clearly will helpguide us through the next two to three years with a sense of unity and purpose, with whichall can engage. Understanding our direction will also help define the person we will beseeking to be Tony’s successor.We recognise that some areas need to change. The culturearound is changing and previous ways of reaching out may no longer work. We are awarethat patterns of attendance within the church family are changing. We are not alwaysmaking the most of the opportunities around us.  Last summer’s survey identified someinteresting trends and highlighted areas where we may need to grow or adapt.

How have we reached these priorities?Over the past year PCC and staff have looked at the context and changing culture in whichwe work, and carried out a health check on our current activities. We used evidence fromlast summer’s survey, attendance statistics, and insights from what we see and hear aroundus. Throughout the process we have prayed and sought to hear God’s directing.

How will we know how we're doing?Actions have been assigned to staff or volunteers, and PCC will receive regular reports oneach area through the year. And one of our priority actions is to improve how this iscommunicated to the church family!

What are 'Priority Action Areas'?We have identified key areas for attention, and for some of these we are planning specificactions – many are already happening. For others, we know change is needed but we needfurther insight on how this is best achieved. These we are calling ‘intentions’, and we willkeep these in focus to ensure ideas are developed and new approaches tried andevaluated. These actions and intentions are set out in our separate ‘Priority Action Areas’document.

Vision into Action

HOW DO YOU FIT IN, WHAT COULD YOU DO TO HELP,HOWEVER SMALL?

graphic designcommunications including social mediaa working group to develop ideas for the concourseand organ loft areas 

Do you see anything here that catches your attention? To take forward our vision, there is a part for everyone toplay. We have identified some specific resource needs that verylikely exist within the church family      

We are always looking for people to join our children’swork, and currently have a particular need to add to ouryouth team. And we will continue to need help withwelcoming, hospitality, maintenance, chair moving (thereis always stuff to do) ….  Please speak to a member of staff or send us an emailon feedback@stpauls-stalbans.org if you think you maybe able to help, even if it is something we haven’tmentioned, or would like to find out more. Training andsupport is always available. 

Vision into Action

GET INVOLVED

We'd love your feedback - questions, comments, ideas fortaking this forward. Do talk to a member of staff or PCC, oremail feedback@stpauls-stalbans.org.    PCC are very happyto meet with any groups to hear from you and answer anyquestions.  A separate, detailed ’Priority Actions Areas‘document , setting out the specific actions and areas forfurther thinking is available from the Office or on Churchsuite.