Explorations – serie

Churches are growing. This prophetic and inspirational handbook by church growth expert Bob Jackson explores a variety of growing churches to identify what is making the difference between them and churches which are static or declining. In addition to numerical growth, it asks how we measure spiritual growth and identifies the signs of spiritual vitality. Bob Jackson relates inspiring stories of effective mission with families, children and young people but also issues pertinent challenges about praying for growth, training leaders, diocesan strategies, spending money effectively, multi-church leadership, the future of the parish model, discipleship in fresh expressions and more. Earthed, practical and inspirational, What Makes Churches Grow lays a practical and theological foundation for continued growth into the future.

Based on his consultancy experience with churches and dioceses over the last three years and further research on the causes of church growth, Bob Jackson’s new book shows how the Church at parish, diocesan and national level can overturn its old cycle of decline and begin a new cycle of growth.At its heart this book is about how local churches can thrive and grow in the early twenty-first century.Part 1 outlines the current context, offering a sharp analysis behind the reasons for church growth and decline.Part 2 describes churches which are already experiencing growth both in numerical and ministry strength. It looks at lessons learnt and what is at the heart of a resurgent, thriving Church.Parts 3 and 4 set out workable strategies and unpacks ways in which human and financial resources can be deployed to support and sustain the growth of the local church.This is not about glib, short-term solutions promising quick results. The goal of this book is to help transform fragile signs of hope for the Church into a solid road to growth.

Faithful and effective church leadership requires preparation in prayer, theological reflection and a wide range of pastoral, prophetic and practical skills in order to ensure that what the Church discerns as necessary the Church does. Faithful Improvisation? is both a contribution to a current and sometimes vigorous debate on how the Church trains its leaders and also a practical and theological resource for discerning what the Spirit is saying and then acting upon it in local church contexts.Part One includes the full text of the Senior Church Leadership report from the Faith and Order Commission.Part Two offers reflections by Cally Hammond, Thomas Seville, Charlotte Methuen, Jeremy Morris and David Hilborn, on practices, models and theologies of leadership in different periods of church history which informed the FAOC report.Part Three opens up a broader discussion about present and future leadership within the Church of England. Mike Higton sketches out a dialogue between Senior Church Leadership and Lord Green’s report, Talent Management for Future Leaders; Tim Harle offers a personal reflection from the perspective of the community of leadership practitioners; and Rachel Treweek concludes with an exploration of the essentially relational character of leadership.

In 2004 Mission-shaped Church presented a challenge to church leaders. Now Mission-Shaped Questions addresses the big theological and practical issues that have arisen.Drawn from a range of Anglican and Methodist backgrounds, the highly-respected contributors take an incisive look at church and its future. They tackles questions such as:What exactly is church? Can we develop churches that can transform culture? Can we be mission-shaped and kingdom-focused too?These contributions are an essential read for anyone committed to the future of church and mission.