Developing a strategy to build on our purpose
The West of England Baptist Association is a fellowship of Baptist Churches Encouraging each other and Growing healthy congregations By Enriching relationships, Developing ministry and Enabling fruitful mission.
A. In terms of presenting a vision for mission in our Association:
- To see all our Churches growth in health.
- To grow in faith and be those among whom others find faith.
- To see more than half of our Churches showing an increase over 2003 membership figures by the year 2009.
- To see more than half of our Churches showing an increase in attendance figures by the year 2009.
- To respond positively to opportunities for new initiatives in mission and see the establishing of ? new congregations planted in the WEBA region by the year 2009.
B. In terms of challenging one another to take courage and move forwards:
- Commit to a community audit or at least one new community project and encourage a growing concern for issues of peace justice and the environment.
- Own our responsibility for giving to Home Mission and BMS World Mission.
- Re-imagine. Work at a strategy to help people find faith in Jesus and help the Church present Him in ways they can understand.
- Engage in at least one course of action to help introduce our Christian faith to people in their communities and to make provision for the effective discipling of new believers.
C. In terms of providing resources to help support one another in the mission of our Churches:
- Enriching relationships.
- To encourage every Church to relate in at least one Cluster for mutual enrichment and mission.
- To facilitate the provision of the necessary expertise and assistance in legal, trust and financial matters so often a burden to our Churches.
- To seek to align our resources to help with the realisation of our purpose.
- Enabling fruitful mission
- To seek to stimulate creative approaches to mission through our churches.
- To find ways to share good stories and best practice.
- To provide help where requested to assess present and future plans.
- Developing ministry.
- To work with Churches to find ways of equipping every member for works of service.
- To seek to provide and encourage appropriate training opportunities.
- To encourage appropriate support for those called to all forms of paid ministry.
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