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Ministry & Mission - Vision & Priorities


Part of the east window above the high altar

The Parish has a proud past and, we are confident, a bright future. We are in good spirits, forward looking, and outwardly orientated. We endeavour to live out the implications of the Christian Gospel within our contemporary setting.

The events of recent years have served to sharpen our focus on the essentials of Christian ministry and mission. We are learning how better to engage with the great challenge of witnessing to those we are called to serve. It is in a spirit of service, therefore, that we strive to be active within the local community, and open to all ages and backgrounds. Our parish family is characterized by mutual respect and affirmation based on a recognition that we are each created in the likeness of Christ himself.

Our worship is sacramentally centred and reflects the richness of expression found within the Anglo-Catholic tradition of the Church of England. Music continues to play an important role in our services as in all respects we seek to offer our best to God and engage a wide diversity of his people.

We are taking forward the process of renewing our spiritual home to better meet contemporary needs, and through a variety of community-based activities and events we seek to attract growing numbers of people from far and wide.

Our vision and priorities are set out in the introduction to the PCC's Parish Development Plan:

The Church... seeks to proclaim with joy the glorification of Jesus as our risen Lord and Saviour. Even though he now reigns in eternal glory, the Church will not allow her members to forget that he is still alive and present in the community today calling it to new levels of mission, ministry and vision for the future.

Objectives

1) To be a parish with congregations enjoying a sense of belonging to a 'parish family', and characterised by mutual acceptance and affirmation of all who come.
2) To be a Christian community which will continue to grow in the 21st century;

a) in worship, so that our worship is attended by large, thriving, regular congregations from all ages and backgrounds, sharing in real, uplifting and transforming worship;
b) in prayer and the discernment of God's will;
c) in knowledge and understanding of the faith we profess;
d) in service to the wider community, both in our local setting where we have particular responsibilities, and further afield.
3) To be a parish which recognises, values and develops the resources which God gives it - human and material - without ever turning ends into means, or means into ends.

Questions

What initiatives could we take to move in these directions?
What resources can we identify to carry forward such initiatives?
What timescales are realistic?

We should realise that much of the initial direction and leadership would have to come from the Incumbent and the PCC, which will have to rise to the challenge, find an organised way of working, and generate an increased level of involvement, accountability and openness.

The main assumptions are:


(i) that change is possible;
(ii) that certain change is desirable;
(iii) that there is an unfulfilled demand and potential within the Parish to enable growth.


The idea of developing our 'Ministry of Welcome' is foundational to our Plan for growth. It is inspired by a motto to be found at the Olde House Retreat, Southam: 'Make your home with me as I make my home with you.'

Information Quick Links


Weddings & Blessings
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Baptisms & Confirmation
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Pastoral Team
Discover the areas of responsibility encompassed by the Parish Pastoral Team. Discover more...
Caring for our Heritage
Read about the five yearly, or Quinquennial Inspection Report in aid of securing the future of this Grade II* listed building and spiritual home. Read more...
Vision & Priorities
Read about our vision and priorities as set out in the PCC's Parish Development Plan. Learn more...
About our Parish
Learn about the parish of St Matthew's and how the church serves as a spiritual and cultural hub. Read more...

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Registered Office: 27A The Drive, Kingsley, Northampton, Northamptonshire, NN1 4RY
Charity Registration No.: 1130083.

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