Archdeacon Simon Fisher talks about the mission aspects of our funding bid
On September 14th Diocesan Synod endorsed the proposals we are sending to the Strategic Mission and Ministry Board to be considered for funding over a seven-year period. Over the next few weeks we have different people explaining the elements of the bid and how it might impact on parishes and deaneries should we be successful.
This week, in a letter to all serving clergy in our diocese, Archdeacon Simon Fisher talks about how we are looking to grow the mission and ministry in our diocese. His letter affirms that “The Larger Single Parish and the Fit for Mission programme remain at the heart of our plan to sustain and grow mission in the diocese of Liverpool” and that we continue to focus on
- Introducing people to Jesus
- Deepening discipleship
- Developing Christian leaders
- Working for justice
Simon explains how we “need to be a church where variety is seen as normal and where we support the revitalisation of existing churches while encouraging new churches to be born” as we work to be a younger more diverse church. He recognises that this is not easy and says “we are woefully under resourced on the frontline” and battling unrealistic expectations. And he acknowledges the building challenge.
Simon’s letter sets out a series of measures that are in the bid to support missional growth. These include a greater level of accountability through Pyramid Reviews and a greater level of financial support, should the bid be successful, through Funding the Future grants and a reduced burden on parish share. The bid also contains a proposal for deanery resource hubs, based around the larger single parishes but supporting all. The plan also maintains our advocacy of the key stewardship practices and a strong biblically based stewardship culture.
Simon explains how we aim to introduce a new Parish Share system in 2026 as “Parish Share remains the most important and biblical measure for supporting the mission of our clergy in this diocese and we need every parish to pay what they have been asked for”
However, his letter also explains how we want to deepen discipleship through the Rule of Life, developing LifeCall, expanding Cultivate and using the Ministerial Development Reviews and Pyramid Reviews. We will also continue to work for justice through our work with Together Liverpool and support our Repentance to Repair Strategy on racial justice.
Simon concludes by saying “Being more ambitious in the way we have planned will only be possible if we receive the financial support of the Strategic Mission Ministry and Investment Board. But in all things the power is in God’s hands, and as you pray for this process I also urge you to pray that he will give the increase.”
Find out more
You can read Simon’s letter in full here
You can read the bid proposal documents below:
Diocesan Synod Theological Intro
Diocesan Synod Draft Budget 2025-2034
Next week we will explain the people aspects of the bid.
Bishop John will be holding Roadshows in the New Year to explain our plans, how you fit in and answer your questions as best we can. We will publish the dates in the next couple of weeks and provide more details in November.
If you have any questions about the bid or the process feel free to contact us at communications@liverpool.anglican.org
