In January 2020, we launched a new project with Citizens UK helping Church of England parishes harness the potential of community organising for growing in discipleship, number and impact.
An increasing body of evidence shows that social action and church growth are not “either/or” alternatives. When churches reach out to work with their neighbours to work for the common good and also are more intentional about supporting and welcoming those who want to journey in, growth seems to be more deeply rooted in place – and more representative of the demography of the neighbourhood.
In its first phase, the project is working with two churches who have already made significant progress in harnessing the potential of community organising – St Mary’s Walthamstow and St John’s Hoxton.
This new project has been developed in collaboration with the Barking Episcopal Area of the Diocese of Chelmsford and the Stepney Episcopal Area of the Diocese of London – and is being funded by the Church of England’s Strategic Development Fund