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Parish Visioning 2005
by Bishop Malcolm Harding
published in Anglicans for Renewal Canada - Spring 2005

Dear Friends in Christ,

Any cursory reading of the New Testament reveals that God's plan is for His church to grow. It is intended to be an alive and committed fellowship of believers filled with the Holy Spirit and wholly mission-minded.

In your parish setting this might be a good time to prayerfully consider where you are right now and where God intends you to be as the year 2005 unfolds. In other words, what have you discerned is God's strategy for parish renewal and congregational development where you worship and serve?

A short time ago I became thoroughly absorbed in a brand new book on church growth. In this book entitled "Releasing Your Church to Grow", the author David Beer prompts all of us in parishes both large and small to make an honest assessment of our parish strengths and weaknesses. This is the preliminary step preparing for change and becoming spiritually healthy communities of faith.

Rooted in New Testament principles, Beer encourages parish leaders and faithful servants to ask such fundamental questions as:

  • "Is the sense of belonging (fellowship) in your church strong or weak?
  • Is the process of discipling new believers strong or weak?
  • Is the process of identifying the gifts of church members and involving them in ministry strong or weak?
  • Is evangelism a strength or weakness in your church?
  • Is worship attracting unbelievers, or is it just lukewarm?
  • Is the church united in its mission and purpose or is it fragmented?" (1)

    A parish event devoted to simply dealing with the questions posed by Beer would be one way of discerning a new vision for your local parish in 2005. Beer moves on in his book from this parish appraisal exercise suggesting a way to prepare for change and growth. He deals very skilfully with how we prepare parishes for change, develop and communicate a parish vision, implement the new parish vision and restructure the church to actively achieve its mission. A concluding chapter on "Small Parish Groups" along with other material illuminating the solid biblical purposes of the church makes for challenging reading on parish renewal and growth.

    My sense is that God wants to raise up visionary clergy and pastors, visionary parishioners in visionary Spirit-filled churches. If you want to get in touch with God's plan of action for your congregational development I would urge you to drop by your local religious book store and obtain a copy of David Beer "Releasing your Church to Grow" The publisher is Kingsway Publications, Eastbourne, England and the ISBN is 1 84291 1406. The website connection is www.kingsway.CQ.Mk v (1). David Beer, "Releasing Your Church To Grow" (Kingsway Publications, Eastbourne, England 2004)p.41-42

    Every Blessing,

    - Bishop Malcolm Harding.


    Bishop Malcolm is the ambassador of ARM Canada and was formerly the Episcopal bishop of the diocese of Brandon.
    He can be reached at 204-726-5738, E-mail: mharding@mts.net

    The Rt. Rev. Malcolm Harding
    Episcopal Visitor to ARM

    Arm Ambassador
    Anglican Renewal Ministries