On 19 March 2025, a group of 11 people from the Diocese of Liverpool travelled to Birmingham to take part in Partnerships in Your Community – a national conference hosted by Heartedge and held at St Martin in the Bullring.
Heartedge exists to support churches in discovering how God is already at work in their context, and to equip them to become a transforming presence in their communities. At the core of Heartedge’s approach are “the Four Cs”: Commerce, Compassion, Congregation and Culture. These four values help churches become more engaged and outward-facing, rooted in Christian hope and focused on the future rather than nostalgia or decline.
The conference offered a full day of talks, workshops and real-life case studies from churches across the UK already putting the Four Cs into action. Topics ranged from connecting more meaningfully with local communities to preaching with confidence in uncertain times.
Among the Liverpool group was Revd Philippa Lea, Team Vicar in the Kirkby Team, who found the experience deeply encouraging. “It was very helpful and can be applied to any church, regardless of your context,” she said. “It’s about developing ministry with a sense of hope, not anxiety.”
Inspired by what they heard, the group from Liverpool have continued to meet since the conference. They recently gathered in St Helens to support one another and explore how the Heartedge approach could be implemented more widely across the Diocese. Their aim is to keep the momentum going with plans already underway for further gatherings.
Looking ahead, a follow-up Heartedge day conference is being planned for 2026, this time hosted in Liverpool. One attendee shared his enthusiasm, saying he was “keen to see it take off” and is excited about the potential for next year’s event.
If you’d like to learn more about Heartedge or get involved, please contact Warren Hartley.
