Dear Colleagues,

At the Gathering in September 2011, as a Diocese, we addressed the crucial inter-related themes about our life together - discipleship and community. The feedback was immensely positive and your suggestions and recommendations will be taken into account as we plan for The Gathering 2013.

To further foster our shared Diocesan life, the traditional ‘Bishops Day for laity’ is being reshaped to reflect your feedback and some of the work we must do if we are to lead and grow the church together with God.

‘Gathered for Growth’ is open to everyone from the Diocese and I am inviting you to share this invitation with members of your local church leadership team. The day will focus on leadership ministries in our churches and how we can develop these with confidence and as a priority.

We will be reflecting together about:

• What is the character of the leadership God calls us to with his church?
• What are the challenges and best practice within our diocesan context?
• What are some useful tools that will help develop team leadership?

Our guest speaker for this event is Viv Thomas. He is Director of Formation and Hon Teaching Pastor at St. Paul’s Hammersmith www.formation.org.uk. In due course publicity will be issued including other speakers, workshops available, and a programme for the day.

I am writing to ask you to put this date in your diary and invite people within your church who would welcome opportunities to engage with this work. We are particularly hoping that clergy, readers, wardens, leadership teams, and other licensed and authorised ministries might see this as a time to reflect together about how they engage together to develop local leadership.

Our deaneries and parishes are at different stages of developing leadership and naturally approach this from very different angles. This day will certainly not be promoting a ‘one size fits all’ approach, but will be an opportunity for us to explore some common issues. We will gather in learning, dialogue and prayer, and work together towards releasing the ministry gifts God has entrusted to us. Church growth depends upon it!

Yours in Christ,

+Trevor

This email has been sent to Parish Clergy, PCC Secretaries, Readers, Churchwardens and ALMs on email. Please share with your church colleagues.