Date: 22 November 2022
Four hundred clergy, PCC representatives, church staff and congregation members gathered at St Paul’s Howell Hill on 16 November for this year’s Church Growth Conference.
Ten speakers, including international evangelist, J John, spoke on how to go deeper in discipleship and grow churches by enabling congregations to share their faith and expand their ministries to children, families and young people.
The event was organised by David Senior, Diocesan Mission Enabler for Stewardship and Evangelism. “We were delighted to be able to welcome so many lay and ordained colleagues to our first major event since the pandemic!”
Coming together from each corner of the diocese and beyond, attendees heard from Bishop Andrew, Stephen Hence (National Lead on Evangelism), J John, Matt Hogg from CPAS and Sarah Slater (Diocesan Training Lead) in the morning sessions, where evangelism and discipleship was the name of the game.
The morning seemed to set the rest of the day up well as Tina from Newdigate shared, “The conference was brilliantly arranged, uplifting and inspiring.”
The first of the two afternoon sessions was an engaging, dynamic group affair, focussing on developing children and families ministries. “I have longed for something such as this to happen in our diocese! The presentations were grounded in reality and full of hope. I feel recharged.” Nick from Guildford said. Emma Coy (Mission Enabler for Children and Families) spoke alongside Lucy Moore from the Growing Faith Foundation, Aike-Kennett-Brown from Messy Church and Andy Frost of the Kitchen Table Project.
Alastair Etheridge (Mission Enabler for Youth) and Jimmy Dale (formerly national youth adviser for the Church of England and now a specialist consultant in this field) closed the day off as they spoke and took questions on growing youth ministries.
The day was jam-packed with content that left people wanting more. “The speakers were really inspiring and the car journey back to Fleet (five of us) was one of lively discussion.” said Patrick.
David Senior recognises the efforts that it takes to put on such an event. “We are most grateful to all at Church House Guildford and Howell Hill who served on team and look forward to gathering ideas and feedback on how we can build on the event in future years.”
You can reach David to share your ideas and feedback at david.senior@cofeguidlford.org.uk.
Videos of each presentation and panel discussion can be watched here, and slides can be downloaded below.