What does it mean for the Church to flourish in a world where communities are changing, resources are stretched and divisions seem increasingly difficult to overcome?
For churches across the Diocese of Liverpool, these questions are more than theoretical. They shape how we serve our communities, nurture new ministries and respond to the needs of the people around us.
But what if the starting point wasn’t what our churches lack, but the gifts, relationships and opportunities already present within them?
This is the thinking behind HeartEdge, an international church renewal movement founded by St Martin-in-the-Fields. Through its four guiding principles of Compassion, Culture, Commerce and Congregational Life, HeartEdge encourages churches to recognise God’s abundance and explore new possibilities for mission.
Be part of Living God’s Future Now
On Saturday 24 October 2026, the Diocese of Liverpool will welcome HeartEdge to St Helens Minster for Living God’s Future Now, a one-day conference designed to inspire and equip clergy, lay leaders and others involved in church and community life.
Running from 10am to 4pm, the conference will bring together theological insight, practical workshops, worship and opportunities to connect with others from across the Diocese.
Tickets cost £20, including lunch, refreshments and a complimentary copy of HeartEdge A Course of Discovery. You can also bring a friend for just £10 extra with every full-price ticket.
Whether you’re looking for new ways to connect with your community, practical ideas to support your church’s ministry or simply the opportunity to think afresh about what God might be calling your church to do, we’d love you to join us.
Come and discover what might already be possible for your church and community.
Book your place at Living God’s Future Now.
A Church at the Heart of Its Community
The Bishop of Warrington, the Rt Revd Simon Fisher, believes that churches have an important role to play in strengthening relationships and building communities of hope, particularly at a time of growing division.
Reflecting on John Donne’s words, “No man is an island, entire of itself”, Bishop Simon reminds us that our lives and communities are deeply connected.
“I believe that we are a global community, made up of many diverse communities. We are siblings together on this our global home. The work of HeartEdge inspires me in this personal belief.”
He continues:
“The church is at its best when it is an intrinsic part of the communities it serves, when it gives into, receives from and learns from those communities.”
This vision of a Church that listens, learns and grows alongside its community is central to HeartEdge’s approach. Rather than offering a single model for success, it encourages churches to discover what God is already doing in their local context and consider how they might join in.
Watch a special invitation from Bishop Simon here.
Fresh Thinking and Practical Steps for Your Church
Exploring new approaches to mission can feel challenging, especially when churches are balancing the demands of ministry with limited time, funding and resources. Yet across the Diocese, churches and communities are already finding creative ways to respond.
From developing cultural spaces that bring people together to discovering new sources of funding, supporting local leadership and taking practical steps towards environmental sustainability, there is much to learn from one another.
Revd Keith Hitchman will share how arts, music and heritage have helped St Michael-in-the-Hamlet become a more open and welcoming space for community engagement. Fundraising consultant Andrew Evans will explore how churches can access new funding opportunities without compromising their mission or values.
The Diocese’s Racial Justice Officer, Keziah Gitonga, will explore how compassion can become meaningful action through challenging prejudice, countering hate and strengthening community cohesion.
For those looking to make their buildings more sustainable, Elizabeth Lamb from St Helens Minster will offer achievable steps towards reducing carbon emissions, while Warren Bohan, the Diocese’s Lay Ministry Development Manager, will help churches recognise and nurture the gifts of people already serving within their communities.
These are just some of the practical conversations that will form part of Living God’s Future Now, offering participants opportunities to learn from people already putting these ideas into practice.
Hearing from Revd Dr Sam Wells
Revd Dr Sam Wells, Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and a leading voice within HeartEdge, will join by Zoom to deliver the conference’s keynote address, exploring the vision and theology behind the movement.
Alongside practical workshops, the day will bring opportunities for worship, a performance by St Martin’s Voices and conversations with others seeking to renew the life and mission of their churches.
It’s an opportunity not only to hear new ideas, but to consider what those ideas could mean for the people and places we serve.
Hear from Revd Dr Sam Wells about the event here.
What if We Started With What We Already Have?
At the heart of the HeartEdge approach is a simple but potentially transformative question: what becomes possible when we begin by recognising God’s abundance rather than concentrating on what is missing?
HeartEdge A Course of Discovery invites churches to explore this question through practical exercises, thoughtful reflection and examples of community-rooted mission.
The resource encourages congregations to listen more closely to their communities, recognise overlooked gifts and relationships, and explore their distinctive calling through Compassion, Culture, Commerce and Congregational Life.
Rather than providing a blueprint to follow, the course offers a fresh perspective on what churches and communities might achieve together.
Everyone attending the HeartEdge conference will receive a complimentary copy, providing a practical resource to continue these conversations and explore new possibilities within their own parish.
Book your place at Living God’s Future Now.
