Mission Development Process
The aim is to take forward the spiritual and mission development of St Peter and St Paul's Parish Church. In order to do this a structured process is required to guide and develop our aims and objectives. We also have a plan, against which to set resources and priorities, as well as some means of monitoring our progress and achievement.
A regular review takes place to consider the plan and its progress, and to amend the goals or set new ones. Members of the congregation are fully involved in this live and dynamic process and encouraged to participate by being part of a Focus Group.
Focus Groups
Focus Groups comprise PCC members, Readers and other members of the Church, in which they participate in discussion on a particular subject considered important to the life of the Church. Currently the list of Focus Groups is as follows:
- Gifts
- Worship
- Prayer
- Children and Youth
- Music
- Outreach
- International Development
The Focus Groups meet individually about every month and are asked to consider work for their Group as requested and guided by the Rector, as Chair of the Forward Group. Interaction between the Focus Groups occurs on a regular basis and a representative number of members from each Focus Group meet every two months at a PCC meeting, called principally to discuss Mission Development business.
Mission Aims
Mission Aims are a number of statements indicating what we would like to do as a Church in support of a particular area of the Church's life. These are developed by the Focus Groups and presented to the full PCC for further discussion and debate.
Mission Objectives
Working from the Mission Aims, the Focus Groups develop Mission Objectives identifying actions required to achieve the Mission Aims. These may be long- or short-term objectives, and should be achievable and measurable. Draft Mission Objectives are in turn presented to the full PCC for further discussion and debate.
Mission Plan
A Mission Plan is drawn up with inputs from the Focus Groups to identify and manage how the Mission Objectives are to be progressed against time, cost and performance. The Focus Groups undertake the detailed planning in support of the Mission Plan, but others within the Church may execute the event on the Plan. Each Mission Objective is expected to have one or more tasks associated with it, which when completed will support the achievement of the Objective. The Mission Plan will initially be drawn up for discussion with the Focus Groups and agreement by the full PCC.
Review
The Focus Group review their progress against the Plan. They also consider any updates or revisions to the Aims, the Objectives and the Plan as thought necessary. Such reviews are presented to the PCC on a routine basis, and at intervals of not more than 6 months. The Mission Development Process is also be reviewed on a regular basis taking consultation from the Focus Groups and presented to the PCC for agreement.