Around 40 people from across the Diocese of Liverpool, neighbouring dioceses and ecumenical partners gathered at St Helens Minster for Living God’s Future Now, a conference organised in partnership with HeartEdge.
Following conversations and relationships formed at last year’s national HeartEdge conference, the event brought people together to explore how churches can build on the gifts already present in their communities and take a fresh approach to mission.
Finding God’s work in our communities
Welcoming delegates, Bishop Simon Robinson, Bishop of Warrington, offered his encouragement, while Warren Bohan, Lay Ministry Development Manager, invited participants to leave with fresh ideas and practical ways to help their churches and communities flourish.
Joining by Zoom, Revd Dr Sam Wells delivered the keynote address, drawing on themes from his recent work to explore the relationship between truth, beauty and goodness. He encouraged delegates to see these not as competing priorities, but as different expressions of the same Gospel reality. His reflections continued to feature in conversations throughout the day.
A central part of the HeartEdge approach is to begin with what communities already have, rather than what they lack. This means recognising the gifts, skills, relationships and opportunities already present and considering how they can be used in God’s mission.
Through the HeartEdge Course of Discovery, delegates shared experiences from their own churches and explored where they could already see signs of God at work.
Practical ideas for local mission
A programme of workshops, led by local practitioners, gave participants the opportunity to explore how these ideas could translate into action.
Sessions covered the role of arts, music and heritage in connecting churches with their communities, alongside practical discussions about church buildings, fundraising and sustainable income. Other workshops explored racial justice, environmental sustainability, poverty, lay vocation and developing local ministry.
There was also an opportunity to consider how churches could take their first steps towards community action projects, with an emphasis on ideas that could be adapted to suit different local contexts.
The Diocese of Manchester Foundation Scholars brought the HeartEdge theme of Culture to life through music and song. Their performance offered a reminder of how music can reach beyond the walls of the church, creating opportunities for connection, hospitality and encounter.
From conversation to action
The hospitality of St Helens Minster provided plenty of opportunity for people to connect, with lunch bringing together delegates to share experiences, challenges and ideas from their own communities.
Towards the end of the conference, participants were asked to identify one small step and one more radical step they felt called to take. Responses included making more time for prayer and discipleship, opening church buildings more widely, supporting local community initiatives and finding new ways to share God’s love.
Bishop Simon brought together some of the day’s themes in his closing reflections, speaking about mission rooted in people, presence and place. Quoting Pauli Murray’s description of hope as “a song in a weary throat”, he encouraged delegates to hold on to the joy of the Gospel and have courage as they follow Christ in their communities.
The day ended in worship, as participants offered their hopes, prayers and commitments to God. Rather than leaving with a list of new programmes to introduce, delegates were encouraged to look again at what God is already doing in their communities and consider how they might be part of it.
Continuing the conversation
The partnership between the Diocese of Liverpool and HeartEdge will continue through the HeartEdge Liverpool Community of Practice. Bringing together clergy, lay ministers and church leaders, the group offers space to explore how the four HeartEdge themes of Compassion, Congregation, Culture and Commerce can help churches flourish.
The next gathering will take place on Tuesday 26 January 2027 at St Andrew’s, Kirkby.
Anyone interested in joining the Community of Practice can contact warren.bohan@liverpool.anglican.org.
