About half the benefices across the diocese have taken part in one of our first two Leading your Church into Growth (LYCIG) Conferences in 2015 and 2016. We are beginning to hear about churches where the talking and planning are beginning to move to action, action which is making growth more likely. Over the next few months we are hoping to include a few short reports from around the diocese so we can all learn together from LYCIG. The next short report is from Northallerton, who took part in the 2015 LYCIG Conference at Scarborough.
Gavin Wakefield, Director of Training for Missional Ministry
If you would like to drop us a line about how it’s going send your story (and a picture if possible!) to growth@yorkdiocese.org. We would love to hear how it’s going for you!
The story so far at Northallerton and Kirby Sigston …
The benefits of LYCIG began for us at the conference – to be in a group of 3 from the benefice meant that real conversations could start there and then – rather than a single delegate having to think how to get others ‘on board’. So the momentum began.
On return from the conference 3 quickly became 9 and plans were made to do the ‘LYCiG Local’ course. Some 60 people attended at least one of the sessions (for us about half our usual Sunday attendance) and discussions went on in homegroups too. Experiences were positive with people commenting that they’ve never before been asked what they thought about their church and its future.
Together we recognised our need to pray more and to grow in confidence in our own stories and understanding our faith. Our aim is to get into a habit of invitation and welcome people well when they come. And we are seeking ways to simply serve the community, no strings attached.
One year on from LYCIG Local we have a plan, and a focus, and we are seeing growth – in discipleship and numbers: Pilgrim courses have become a regular part of our calendar along with a new housegroup, and as part of our fellowship and service, a weekly drop-in lunch and monthly Messy Church. LYCIG for us was a means to review what we are doing, and how we are doing as disciples of Christ; it is not rocket science, but it has proved to be a launch pad.
Fiona Mayer-Jones, vicar of Northallerton with Kirby Sigston