Diocesan Growth Programme
Rooted in prayer, the Diocesan Growth Programme is a ten-year plan (2026 - 2035) aiming to strengthen parishes to help more people of all ages know, love and follow Jesus, resulting in many churches becoming healthier and more sustainable.
Whatever the starting point or context, there is something for every parish who wants to grow.
Aims
Our Programme aims to strengthen parishes through tried and tested approaches to mission and outreach, prioritizing strategic areas of high population and highest need, while offering a range of support to every parish that wants to grow.
By God’s grace, we pray we might see 3,000 to 4,300 more people worshipping regularly by 2035, including up to 1,700 children and young people. Programme streams include:
- Revitalising 20 to 23 churches through partnerships and new leadership - click here
- Expanding children, youth and families ministry, increasing the number of paid CYF workers - click here
- Introducing Focal Ministry, calling out local leaders to help those in multi-church benefices thrive - click here
- Developing excellent leaders (authorised, licensed, ordained) through training and equipping - click here
The Programme expects to help 120 churches become financially more sustainable by 2035, to nurture new vocations and to significantly increase lay ministry. This Programme will improve the health of the diocese over the long term, with the hope that in ten years the diocese is growing and financially stable.
Funding
The Programme represents a £22.4 million investment over ten years, funded through:
- £12.3 million from the national Diocesan Investment Programme.
- £5.1 million from the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF). This will not increase Parish ministry cost until 2035.
- £5 million from parishes contributing towards local employed roles, mainly with children and youth.
The Diocesan Growth Programme, as approved by Diocesan Synod on March 2025 can be read here.