As we reach the midpoint of 2025, the Fit for Mission Team would like to share an update on the progress of the initiative so far.
Our first larger single parishes are growing and are more agile
Christ Our Hope Liverpool and Church St Helens are embedding their larger single parishes and starting to see shoots of growth as they focus on mission. Church St Helens have just been successful in their application to create one of the first two Youth Hubs. In just four weeks, they created a comprehensive youth strategy for the application, made possible by the agility and trust within their larger single parish team.
Christ Our Hope hosted their first Parish Meeting – a Pentecost Supper and Speaker event – open to all churches, with a panel discussion between PCC members. Rev Claire Aldridge, PCC member, said:
“There was a tangible sense of hope at the last PCC meeting, that we are moving forward positively and that with this additional support, we are much more expectant – trusting God to do far more than we might ever have imagined possible.”
These stories were recently shared with others at a Fit for Mission open evening in Huyton, where Bishop Ruth was present to hear both the highlights and challenges of the journey. She reflected:
“As we talked and listened, I was reminded of those early disciples gathered in the upper room… I doubt they felt ‘fit for mission’, and yet look what has happened in the last 2000 years since! Their obedience to wait and pray led to an outpouring of the Holy Spirit… We acknowledged that it hasn’t been an easy journey, some things have worked, and others haven’t, but meeting together as a learning community is of real value.”
The second cohort are over halfway through acting “as if”
The churches of Warrington deanery have made great progress. With all 12 existing parishes committed to being a larger single parish, the local change teams and subcommittees are finalising the details of their shared future. Rev Sarah Peppiatt has been appointed as Team Rector Designate, and a shadow PCC is expected to hold its first meeting by the end of this month. Recruitment is underway for a Support Services Manager, with a target appointment by the end of July, the first step in forming the administrative support team.
As part of Cultivate’s Refresh pathway, each church is currently participating in Discipleship 360 reviews. In the lead-up to Pentecost, over 300 people took part in “Praying the Streets” walks, covering over 1100 kilometres. Rev Sarah Peppiatt said:
“We’ve made real progress in decisions that will lay the groundwork for the sustainable future of the parish, while embracing the diverse nature of each church.”
In Liverpool South, churches are also moving towards forming Christ Our Light parish. All Souls Church recently welcomed Rev Kirsty White, along with 30 new members from Penny Lane Church, as part of a revitalisation partnership aiming to grow the congregation to 200 members within three years. All churches participated in 24 hours of prayer on 31 May, ahead of a weekly prayer course launching this month.
Jen from the Navigation Team shared:
“Fit for Mission will seem scary for as long as it feels like ‘them and us’, but once you start building relationships, you see how collaborative working under a larger parish is not just possible, it’s a genuinely positive thing.”
In Toxteth and Wavertree, six parishes (nine churches) have confirmed their commitment to form Hope Parish Liverpool. With this decision, local change teams can now begin recruiting their Team Rector Designate and Operations Manager.
Rev David Halliwell, Change Lead, said:
“Being appointed as change lead for Toxteth and Wavertree has been a privilege… I’m looking forward to the challenges to come for the churches of Hope Parish Liverpool.”
Meanwhile, in Ormskirk Deanery, the PCCs of all seven Fit for Mission churches voted on whether to continue the journey. Although four churches voted yes, it was decided that they did not form a viable larger single parish. As a result, they will not be continuing on the Fit for Mission journey at this time. Rev Susan Salt reflected:
“Whilst not the outcome we aspired to achieve, we trust, with God’s help, that we will be able to build on what we have learned and the relationships we have built.”
The final cohort are approaching their decision on whether to go on the Fit for Mission journey
The remaining seven deaneries in Cohort 3 are nearing the end of their engagement phase and will vote in September and October. Over 600 people have attended open events, where they heard directly from Church St Helens and Christ Our Hope about the realities of the journey. Once groupings are agreed in October, local lay people will be invited to join change teams and fully engage in the Fit for Mission journey.
Bishop Ruth reflects on Fit for Mission with a closing prayer:
‘Lord, may we know ourselves to be your chosen ones, holy and beloved. May that confidence give us the desire to share such good news with others too. Help us to know the hope to which you have called us and transform us by the power of your Holy Spirit so that we may share your love with all. In faith we pray, Amen.’
