We've started a period of 'renewing our vision' as a church in the early weeks of 2008.

“the word of the Lord continued to increase and prevail mightily” Acts 19:20

We believe that gospel mission through church planting and training for Bible ministry needs to be the driver as we plan prayerfully the future strategy of Christ Church Bromley. I am sure that the church family wants to see the gospel of Jesus Christ increase and make real inroads in the lives of many in our local area and beyond.  

The church leadership has begun a period of consultation about how Christ Church seeks to serve the work of the gospel in Bromley and beyond. This has, so far, involved the Trustees of the Bromley Christian Workers Trust, the Church Council (PCC), the Staff team, and those who lead small groups and other outreach groups.

We are reaffirming the mission priority of Christ Church so that we can determine our ministry priorities which will govern our budget priorities for the next few years.

This next 12-18 months will be a period where we can

• pray and plan for the future ministry
• communicate the vision clearly throughout the church family
• seek increased giving to meet our current needs and fund future growth.

Beyond our current regular ministries, which seek to make Jesus known as the Bible is taught prayerfully, we are discussing two major mission priorities.

1. Planting

Our desire is to plant new churches that proclaim the gospel clearly and confidently. New churches are most effective at reaching those who don't go to church. The new Park Langley plant is rooting well although still vulnerable. We trust that as it is deeply rooted in the word of Christ it will in time grow and bear much fruit.

We have been asked by an outside mission agency if we would consider another plant in this part of South East London. It is an exciting yet challenging possibility. We believe that this must be carefully and prayerfully considered.

2.Training for ministry

Training for Biblical ministry has been a long-term commitment at Christ Church. Out of this commitment has grown the training opportunities for many in the congregation and also the Ministry Associate scheme.

We want to see people continue to be trained and equipped here at Christ Church and at Park Langley. We also want to see the Ministry Associate scheme grow and develop here and in other churches in South East London.

Implications

Moving forward in this direction will be enormously challenging for us as a church. It will need the church family and, in particular, the leadership of the church to be clear and convinced about the gospel and committed to prayer. Our vision must be more than a vision to growth and more activity: it must be a gospel-driven vision.

Changes in Staffing will be required to make this possible. As the work of Park Langley grows, we shall need to replace Nick Hiscocks here at Highland Road to release him more fully for that ministry.

By September 2009 we would like to see a Staff team comprising at Highland Road:

• Vicar
• Assistant Minister (Curate)
• Youth & Families Minister
• Children's & Families Minister
• 4 Ministry Associates

And at Park Langley:

• Senior Minister (Nick Hiscocks)
• 2 Ministry Associates

In the context of clarifying our vision and strategy for gospel mission, together with limited financial resources, and after careful thought and prayer, the Trustees of the Bromley Christian Workers Trust have made the decision to cut the position of Director of Training.  Vernon Wilkins will therefore be seeking a new position to begin in the Summer of 2008. Vernon has been part of the decision-making process and, indeed, has urged us to take this course of action for the sake of the future work of the gospel here at CCB.

We believe that the training needs of the church could be met by the current staff and sharing resources with other churches. Two things will be required if this is to work:

• a clear understanding that pastoral ministry is first and foremost Bible-teaching ministry
• more support for the Staff and other key volunteers (such as Wardens, Treasurer etc.) in management and administration. Liz Davidson is already doing a huge amount and needs additional support.

We believe that mission through church planting and training for Bible ministry needs to be the driver as we plan our future strategy prayerfully.

There are, at this stage, many questions and few answers! We need, above all to pray about the possibilities for us. ‘Renewing our vision' will be a continuing theme through 2008 This work is His work, and apart from Christ we can do nothing.

Active and committed gospel partnership in prayer, giving, and service will be essential if we are to embark on this path. On behalf of the wider church leadership teams we commend it to your prayerful consideration.