Episcopal Church Foundation Vital Practices - Blogs

June 23, 2011

Ten Tests for Growth

“Provide more practical tools for congregational leaders,” say respondents of a recent ECF Vital Practices survey. A look through the variety of resources that flood my inbox on a daily basis provided a resource developed by the English Diocese of Liverpool for congregations to use when evaluating proposed initiatives.

The diocese, which has 250 churches in both rural and urban settings in the north of England, is working towards "a sustainable, led and transforming Christian presence in every community in the diocese to enable all to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God."

In a press release issued by the Anglican Communion News Service, Linda Jones, Liverpool’s Church Growth team leader identified Ten Tests congregational leaders should use to measure the worth of any proposed initiatives:

Does each area of work or initiative:

Encourage growth numerically or in spirituality?
Support and reflect the church that we wish to become?
Affirm mutual support and collaboration within the diocese?
Strengthen relationships between parishes?
Recognize the ethos and the characteristics of the diocese particularly highlighting issues peculiar to the diocese.
Take appropriate account of the sustainability and viability issues of church buildings and congregations?
Provide for accountability throughout every step of the initiative within the diocese and beyond?
Present an appropriate stewardship challenge?
Provide appropriate support for local decision-making?
Is the proposed system or process transparent and easily understood?

"We are now in the process of applying these 10 tests to any initiative that we are thinking about," explained Linda. "Hopefully by doing this it will encourage us to think collaboratively, look wider, and apply the concept of subsidiarity to enable us to be good stewards of God’s giftings for the building up of his kingdom."

Linda added, "Ultimately we are aiming to see healthy churches at the heart of healthy communities; excellent church schools promoting Christian education; Christian disciples growing in faith, hope and number; outstanding Christian leaders for today and tomorrow; and vibrant and inclusive mixed economy churches in and from all traditions.

"We think that, with God's help, the ten tests will help us achieve just that."

Linda is also a member of the Anglican Communion’s Evangelism and Church Growth Initiative that is a network of people across the world who together work to promote church growth and evangelism in Anglican and Episcopal churches across the globe. Information about Liverpool Diocese’s Ten Tests and many other projects, initiatives and ideas for encouraging church growth and evangelism can be found in its latest newsletter Witness6.7.

Do these 10 tests make sense for your congregation? How might you modify the list for your context?