NOVEMBER IS MAP MONTH!
As a Benefice, we are beginning to look to the future and trying to discern what
that might look like for us as individual churches and as communities. One of the things we are looking at first is our Mission Action Plan, or MAP as it is known in ‘church-speak’.
MAP is a process which enables a local church to prayerfully discern the priorities God has for it, and to plan the mission activities it is going to undertake over the coming months and years. It is an accessible form of strategic planning, and as
such builds on the insights of businesses, schools, hospitals and other organisations, which have to plan carefully if they are to thrive in a complex and challenging environment. A key part of the process is involving the whole church in seeking God and developing a clear vision statement. A vision statement is different from
a mission statement - a mission statement describes what an organisation or church is for now, whereas a vision statement describes what the church wants to become over the next five years. And that process involves everyone. Your opinion matters and will be a vital part of what we as a church decide to do.
So, how can you make your voice heard? What we would really
like you to do is to imagine what your ideal church looks like.....no matter how far-fetched or wacky that may be (ordinary is acceptable too!!). What would you like to see your church doing? Would you
like a choir or contemporary music? Would you like it to be very traditional or
have coffee served whilst you worship? Would you like to see the church used for social activities or even have services outside? If there were no barriers like money, the structure of the building, rules and regulations, what would your ‘perfect’ church look like? Feel free to let your imagination run away with you, we want to hear what you have to say! Your answers will help us to prayerfully work out what our communities want in order to draw us closer to God and build on our relationship with him and one another.
During the month of November, St. Ippolyts Church will be focussing on our specific MAP so look out for the explanatory and (hopefully!) inspiring posters
that will appear in church and be prepared to be politely accosted by a PCC member with a short questionnaire asking for your views!
Great Wymondley and Little Wymondley will be focussing on their own MAP’s in the New Year but don’t let that stop you expressing your views in advance.
Be bold! Send your thoughts and suggestions to me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact one of your Churchwardens.
With love, Ginni
