We are nearing the end of the second year into our Vision for St John’s and I was delighted to attend a
meeting for representatives from all the Deanery Churches with Bishop Keith and The Archdeacon
Donald Allister about the Future Plans for all Churches.
The Title was ‘G A P’ the Growth Action Plan for the next 5 years to increase and improve all aspects
of the Church.
I sat through the evening thinking ‘we are ahead of the game.’ All Churches are being encouraged to do
an ’audit’ of their Church starting with a SWOT-- Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats--- to
enable the Church to see their priorities, and we were advised to consult the full church not just the
Vicar’s Cronies. We did this in October 2007!!! With follow ups at regular intervals reporting back to the
Parish and having further debates. Following this we were recommended to work on the Priorities and
see results, our results have been spectacular thanks to us all working together and have seen us come
out of Suspension.
As a result of our consultations which we conducted after Morning Service over Tea and Cakes,
We decided----
1.We needed to build up the Young people in the Church.
We started Praise and Play, and rebuilding the Sunday School, increased numbers for Baptism with
these young families continuing to come to Church has really been successful.
We decided---
2.Worship.
The Ministry Team has increased and more Pastoral Work has been possible.
Changes to the Services to cater for all including Evening Praise after Evensong. We have introduced the
Memorial Service, Back to Church, Quiet Space, and Doorway Course.
We decided—
3.Communication with the Community.
Coffee Mornings, Community Events i.e. Vikings, Patronal Charity Fair Day, Meols Matters, Social Evening
Group, and you have all seen our progress through reports in the Magazine, Web, Notice Boards.
We will have to submit our ‘GAP’ for the Church to the Diocese later in the Year
so as Leader of the Vision I am working on our next phase, we cannot be complacent, but must strive even
harder to build on The Kingdom of God at St John’s.
Our next phase will be based on ‘The 3 C’s.’
Christianity-Church-Community.
Our next Consultation will take place on the 28th June after Morning Service and is open to all the Parish
to come and take part in the discussion to develop our work here in Meols. I hope we will be able to stay
ahead of the game and show Good Practice to others.
ST JOHN THE BAPTIST CHURCH, GREAT MEOLS
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