The Transforming Wigan Project 2015-21

PROJECT BRIEF For Job Applicants

Wigan Investment Centre, Waterside Drive, Wigan, WN3 5BA Email: tim.montgomery@liverpool.anglican.org | direct 07985 290493 PA: Aroma Naveed | direct 01942 410910 | reception 01942 705705

www.churchwigan.org www.liverpool.anglican.org

WelcometotheTransformingWiganmovementWearehalfwaythroughtheTransformingWiganmovement2015-21.ThisisaChurchofEnglandStrategicDevelopmentProjectaiming‘toturnaroundthemissionandfinancialstrengthofthedeaneryofWigan.’Itisaculturalchangemovementchangingboththewayweare‘being’Churchand‘doing’ChurchinWigan.

TheVisionOur vision is to enable one-in-ten people in Wigan to be on a discipleshipjourneywith Jesus. Thismeansencouragingpeople to join inandbelong, toexploreandexperience,toencounterJesusinafreshandfaithfulway.Helpingoneanothertoask,seek,listen,learn,pray,shareandservetogether.

TheStrategyOur strategy is to make and grow disciples of Jesus nurtured in localWorship Communities, led andresourcedinareaHubs,andheldtogetherasoneChurchWigan.Thismeansrefreshingthecommunitiesofdiscipleswealreadyhaveandplantingnewfreshexpressionsofworship,fellowshipandconnection.

Updateathalf-timeWehaveworkedhardinthefirsthalftoformacoregroupofleaders–theGuidingCoalition–tohelpshapeandleadthechange.Wehaveslowlymanagedtoincludemoreandmorepeopleinthemovementandnowhave the vastmajorityofour current churchesengaged inexploring the change journeyandworkingouttheir part in it for the growing future. In October 2018, the Bishop of Liverpool and his Planning OfficerpresentedthedraftPastoralSchemeandScopingDocumenttotheDeanerySynodtolaunchthenextstageofembeddingthechangeintothenewstructurethatwillbetterserveourpurposeinthefuture.

TheViewoftheDirectorofMissioninWigan:RevdCanonTimMontgomeryIamprivilegedtohelpChurchWigantakestepsforward.Ontheonehand,thetasksaresimple:torenewdiscipleship,re-orientthechurchandrevivethecommunity.Ontheotherhand, theyare complexand contentiousas they challenge traditions, raiseanxietiesandoftenappeartoodifficult.ButIamencouragedbythedeterminationofthedisciplesinWigantoengageinthejourney.Ourchallengeistowintheheartsandminds of thosewhose faithmaybe the size of amustard seedbut,when combinedwithothers,becomesalovingforceofnewlifetrustingGodtoworkinandthroughus.

This second half ismore challenging. Sharing resources, serving thewhole community, inviting everyoneontothejourneyandfindingnewwaysofbeinganddoingChurchwillbehard.Itwilltakeallourhumility,generosity,faithandhope….andferventprayersforrenewal.WithGodwecan.AndIbelievewewill.

MakingandGrowingDisciplesWedescribeadiscipleassomeone learning to live Jesus’way in theireverydaycontextwithinacommunityoffellowdisciples.DisciplesareequippedbytheHolySpirittomakeandgrowdisciples.‘Church’isthecollectivenounforallthedisciplesinoneplace.OurplaceisWiganandweinviteeveryonetojoininthisadventure.

Wearegoingdeepernow,joiningwiththerhythmoftheBishop’sruleoflife:Wearecalledtopray,readandlearn.Wearesenttotell,serveandgive.

“Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be

if he were you” Dallas Willard

Formoreinformation,storiesandresourcesconcerningtheTRANSFORMINGWIGANmovementgotowww.churchwigan.uk

GrowingLeadersWe all have a part to play in influencing the change and growth. But some, ofcourse, are called to specific leadership roles to equip, encourage, enable andrelease others into their gifts and ministries. Our clergy have held most of theburdenofleadershipbutwearenowcommissioningmanymorepeopletoexercisetheirleadershipgiftsalongsidetheordainedandlicensedministries.

Wearegrowingleadersandteamsofalltypes.WehaveLocalMissionalLeadersandteamsleadinginourWorshipCommunities.WeareformingHubLeadershipTeamstodeveloptheplansintheHubs.In2020wewillappointanewTeamRectortoleadtheBeneficeLeadershipTeamcomprisingalltheHubLeaders.EachHubhastwoclergyleaders–HubLeaderandAssociateHubLeader–withridiculouslyhugefaithinGodandenoughinthemselves,withthecouragetoleadthechangeandhelpthepeoplewhowon’tlovethemforit. Wearecallingleaderswhohavearadicalpersonalvisionandcallformakingandgrowingdisciples;leaderswith thehumility that enables them to trust fully inGodandwork collaboratively in a teamwithtotalrelianceontheHolySpiritworking inandthroughthem. Theywillhavethedesireto loveandserveourtraditionalchurchcommunitiesnowonmissionandapassionforconnectingtheunchurchedwiththediscipleshipjourney. Thefocusoftheseleaders isonrecruiting,enabling,releasing,equipping,supportingandmentoringotherleaders.Theywillhavethewisdom,loveanddeterminationtohelppeoplemovefromthepresenttothefuture.Theywillneedlion-heartsandrhinoceros-skins…andagoodsenseofhumour!

RestructuringEach Hubwill become a new Parish, led by the HubLeader and Associate, with many lay and ordainedleaders working together in local teams to refreshcurrentWorshipCommunitiesandplantnewones.

The seven Parish-Hubswill be in one single Beneficeenabling us tomanage theDeanerymore effectivelyandefficientlyandtopartnerbetteratthelocalleveltomakeandgrowdisciples.

Various ‘networks’ serve across thewholeChurch toboostthemissionandgrowthwithspecificgroupsofpeopleeg.youngpeople,schools,seniors,etc.

EncouragementforChurchWiganfromTheRtRevdPaulBayes,BishopofLiverpoolAcrosstheDioceseofLiverpoolweareaskingGodforabiggerchurchtomakeabiggerdifference –more people knowing Jesus,more justicein theworld. Our strategy is tomultiply disciples and leaders to helpmanymore people engage in the journey of theChristian faith. Wigan deanery is forging new ways forward for us all through theTransformingWiganmovement.Iencourageyoualltopersevere.Keeponkeepingon.As the letter tothePhilippianssays:"Iamconfidentof this, that theOnewhobeganagoodworkamongyouwillbringittocompletionbythedayofJesusChrist."

ItisnoteasytoleadchangebutasCardinalNewmanfamouslysaid,“Toliveistochange,andtobeperfectistohavechangedoften.”Ifirmlybelievethatyouaretakingtheimportantstepsnecessarytohelpusallturnoutwards toour communities and invitepeopleonce again to live their liveswithGod.Be assuredofmyprayersforyouasyoukeepsteppingonwithyourboldfaithandyourcourageousmission.+Paul