Seasons, Soil and Seeds Resources

Rev'd Kim Shorley, District FEAST Enabler, has put together the following resources for circuits and churches.

Seasons, Soil and Seeds

"Drawing on the various visits, preaching appointments, conversations and FEAST events held across the Northampton District, alongside my own further reading and reflections, I offer this resource with the prayer that it will be useful within churches and circuits. I hope that it will help you in your discussions and actions as you see, sow, and support initiatives that will nurture and cultivate New Places for New People into flourishment as we continue our journey in becoming inclusive, justice seeking, evangelistic and growing communities of faith" – Rev'd Kim Shorley

The Leading your church into Growth prayer (adapted)
God of Mission, who alone
brings growth to your Church.
Give us vision in our planning,
wisdom in our actions,
joy in our fellowships,
and power in our worship and witness.

Guide us as we lead
our congregations and circuit to growth,
not only through numbers,
but also in new and deepening
spiritual commitment to you,
and in service to our communities.
Through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.

Recommended Books & Resources

Deep Roots, Wild Branches by Michael Adam Beck
Developing Healthy Churches by Robert Warren (which follows on from his book The Healthy Churches' Handbook and its lens of scoring church vitality under the Seven Marks of a Healthy Church)
Scattering Seeds: Cultivating Church Vitality by Stephen Chapin Garner and Jerry Thornell

From the Methodist Church website you can find resources on: