Being and Doing Church  

 The Vision Statement of the Watling Valley Ecumenical Partnership

 Produced in response to comments and ideas produced by our churches and councils during the first half of 2005, and agreed by the Ecumenical Council on  the 22nd of November 2005.

 
As a Partnership, we invest our time and resources in the following four key areas:

Growing:  Nurturing Disciples

The church is a community of people who are called to follow Jesus as 'Disciples' - people who continue to learn as they live and act for God. We need to develop strategies for training, growth, nurture and development which meet the needs of young and old, new inquirers and long standing church members.  We need to equip all God's people for service, both in the church and in their everyday lives.

Belonging:  Creating space to be church

Sunday church can't meet our needs as God's people.  We also need different types of groups within which we can find support and friendship, develop our spiritual life, apply God's Word to real life, and engage in mission.  We need a clear strategy which helps us to create, encourage, resource and challenge our groups and communities.

Linking:  Developing the Network

As a Partnership we are committed to developing as a 'Network of Communities' rather than simply a collection of churches.  We need to develop strategies, mechanisms and tools which help us to function in this way. 

Reaching Out:  Taking Church into the World

We are called to welcome people into the church, and also to take Church to the places where people can live and work.  We need to support our members as disciples in the world.  We also need to experiment with new expressions of church which take place beyond our church buildings.