Rooted in partnership, Believing in Barking strengthens our diverse worshipping communities, enabling churches and leaders to work together in serving their neighbourhoods and securing an enduring missional presence across the Barking Area for generations to come.
Introduction from Bishop Lynne
Our parish churches serve some of the fastest growing, diverse and most societally and economically disadvantaged communities in the country. We have enormous opportunities for mission and service whilst at the same time facing considerable challenges
Believing in Barking has been developed in partnership with leaders and volunteers who serve in our parish churches and are best placed to discern missional needs and opportunities in their many different contexts.
We’re bringing more tools, resources and ideas to our worshipping communities to help them to thrive. Lot’s is happening to further our missional work, reach more people and strengthen our parishes. Please see the updates happening in Barking here. We welcome your prayers and support on this journey together.
The Right Revd Lynne Cullens - Bishop of Barking
Believing in Barking funded through the Diocesan Investment Programme is an area wide missional plan developed over the past two years in partnership with local church leaders and volunteers across more than sixty parishes and church communities in the East London boroughs.
In keeping with the Diocese of Chelmsford’s approach and values articulated in Travelling Well Together, the Believing in Barking plan has been developed by working with those who serve and lead in local church communities to ensure that the investment meets locally discerned needs and missional opportunities. It supports the plans to sustain our parishes and worshipping communities for generations to come.
Supporting churches in four key areas:
- Working to encourage greater attendance and participation of children, young people and families in our church communities. As we work together our aim is to double the number of churches with more than 25 children and young people through intentionally supporting and equipping CYPF ministry.
- Supporting and developing intentional discipleship; equipping, supporting and growing volunteers and leaders in our churches and increasing leadership diversity. Through programmes such as Leading your Church into Growth (LYCiG) and other local level support there will be a focus on resourcing and championing disciples.
- Supporting churches and church leaders in their work to help transform the communities they serve.There will be an initial investment in Estates communities, supporting missional activities, deepening discipleship and developing local leaders
- Developing sustainable structures to support local parish mission and ministry. Recognising that clergy serve large, high-density populations, which can make it harder to initiate and maintain relationships. Reviewing parish systems will help identity areas that may need rethinking to respond to this changing demand.
Focusing on these four themes should help make a lasting impact on congregations, neighbourhoods and more widely across local communities.
Join the Conversation
Together we can support our worshipping communities and ensure a lasting missional presence. Please fill out the short form below to share your good news stories with us, to inspire others and celebrate the Holy Spirit at work with you. We are always listening and open to hearing ideas as we all continue to shape the plans for the Believing in Barking programme. Gathering information and feedback helps us know what is working well, and what could be improved. You also have the option to keep your feedback anonymous.
Thank you!
