I commend the Mission Action Plan initiative to you.

The summary of my Visitation in 2009 was 'From Analysis to Action'.  From the spiritual discerning of God's call emerges that witness and service through which Grace is given and the kingdom advanced.  This process benefits from structure and a systematic approach.

A key aim was identified as church growth and community engagement.  Mission Action Plans offer a proven, widely used and very flexible tool for helping each local church recognise opportunities and challenges, to identify and nourish resources, and to make an effective response.

By inviting every local church to use this tool, we can maximise the potential of partnership with others - within MMAs or deaneries, and with our specialist team of officers under the direction of Andy Broom.

The process will help each local church find God's way prayerfully, carefully and confidently.

I hope that each of us can play a full part, so that our Lord's name may be glorified and His saving message made known.

Together may we seek to find and follow His way for our times.

Bishop Alistair