The Revd Clive Hicks writes about Leading your Church into Growth (LyCIG), a Christian organisation who equip church leaders and churches to grow and reports back from their recent conference.
Presentations were made to senior leaders at the end of November 2023, as budget had been secured for a LyCiG pilot with five or more churches from our diocese in 2024; in the end 15 churches will share the experience through their representatives. A number in the diocese have appreciated their own involvement in LyCiG over the years – it is a highly regarded programme which many dioceses designate as a route to stimulate parish development and growth. It is relevant across the breadth of Anglican churchmanship, and prides itself on churches growing one by one, rather than setting unrealistic expectations.
Why LyCiG?
• Most importantly, it addresses how to make a shift from ‘maintenance’ to ‘mission’
• Testimonials show that the resources have worked in a wide range of churches
• The quality of the conference/materials is recognised by the CofE who have just injected £750,000 to extend its use at a national level, and it now used in Dioceses in New Zealand and Australia too
• Implementation philosophy is well thought through – a trusted colleague will accompany churches following the conference, acting as a sounding board, and helping retain a focus on mission in the core of a PCCs agenda for the next 12-18 months
• It would be neat, but not mandatory, to combine involvement with NCD (benchmarking) before and then in 12-18 months time
The Programme
The programme over 3 days is intensive and focused – it is built around seven areas. The delivery team at the conference includes inspirational and knowledgeable parish clergy – both women and men. We secured twelve places at the June 2024 Conference, with churches taking teams of clergy and lay influencers to the Swanwick Conference Centre.
Testimonials from the conference
The Revd Aggy Palairet, vicar at St Francis of Assisi, Radford says: “the speaker’s experience, their ideas and their own examples of creative initiatives started at their churches were helpful. It helped us think more about our congregation’s gifts and limitations.”
The Revd Abby Rhodes, vicar at St Paul’s Foleshill says: “we really appreciated that the LyCiG conference was facilitated by people who are still involved in leading churches and who were willing to be real about the challenges as well as the opportunities. We are already making actual changes to what we do as a result of the discussions sparked by the conference.” Rosie Lee adds: “I want to be a loud voice and share what I have been privileged to hear. There was so much encouragement.”
The Revd Kate Mier, Vicar of Arden Marches Benefice says: “the conference encouraged us that we were already on the right track in many areas and it gave us tools to sharpen up what we are doing. We had a workshop last Saturday to explore some of the material about culture/prayer for growth, and developing an annual rhythm of steps for the next year. About 30 people came and really enjoyed the morning together and were energized by it.”
Pauline and Keith Wise from St Mary, Atherstone say: “it packed so much in; the teaching and fellowship were brilliant. We came away with a tremendous feeling of hope to go forward, and would encourage others to attend when they have the opportunity; especially if they want their churches to grow. Thank you very much.”
What's next
Nine more churches will be represented at the October conference, from St Giles, Exhall, the Lay Group in Nuneaton Deanery and All Saints & St Ann’s churches in Coventry. It looks promising that further churches will be able to apply to take part in 2025.
Contact Clive Hicks, Healthy Churches Development Enabler for further details.
