As part of our commitment to growth, we will be asking every church to create a Mission Action Plan (MAP) in 2011. This will outline the mission activities that they will engage in. We want to make our communities and those beyond the church a greater priority and to prayerfully and strategically consider how we relate to them.

During 2010, 50 churches across the Diocese are taking part in a pilot so that we can review the materials and process we are using in preparation for 2011.

The Bishop’s Leadership Team, in consultation with the Bishop’s Council and Diocesan Synod are beginning the process of creating a MAP for the whole diocese. This will be presented at Diocesan Synod in May 2011.

Following the launch event for the 50 Pilot Churches at Willersley Castle on 20th May  we had the following feedback:

“The rainbow that is the Church of England was very much evident at the event last Thursday as there were representatives of every type of churchmanship. There was a real sense of joy that we were working together for the glory of God”
The Rev’d Theo Holmes, Curate at St Thomas Somercotes

Our prayer is that every one of us in Derby Diocese have that real sense of joy of working together for the glory of God through the MAP process over the coming years.