Description:

The British Isles South District (BISD) has four churches in the Lancashire area of England: This includes one church plant, less than a year old, and three longer-term established churches, all of whom are, and have always been smaller congregations, with small ‘chapel’ type buildings. Two of these congregations have been distant from the District for many years, and have become less missionally active. They have become decreasingly equipped to fruitfully interact with 21st Century British society.

One church has suffered significant damage to its building in late 2022, leaving the church impossible to use for some 14 months (and counting) – upon the completion of the refurbishment, this will be a church re-plant situation.

In recent years BISD has been seeking to intentionally interact with the growing migration trends into the UK. This has resulted in several congregations emerging which primarily consist of people who speak English as a second language, and for whom the UK is not their home culture. This has caused some minor challenges in the connection between the new churches, and pre-existing churches within the District, and also locally regarding the connection between these churches and their local community.

The need that lies between these two is that the lay and pastoral leadership of both groups of churches are in need of support, training, and encouragement with regard to fruitful ministry within 21st-century British society: this includes understanding both the structures and practices of the Church of the Nazarene (in relation to the Manual, and to UK specifics), and in terms of developing healthy missional thinking in order to give the congregations the best opportunity to healthily grow.

We are seeking to appoint someone who will provide some consultant-type support, training to our local leaders, foster a sense of community between leaders, and help to establish confidence in good practice and relational support.

Budget Details:
Car rental and fuel: $6,000 per year
Meeting and catering expenses: $800 per year
Housing: $8,000 per year
Travel: $8,000 per year
TOTAL: $22,800

Implementation Schedule:
Begin in 2024, delivered through three or four periods of intense engagement throughout the year. Complimented by the wider already operating District structures and events throughout the rest of the year.

Terms: 2 Year project Sustainability - District funding is sourced through property rental income, and so is indefinitely sustainable. Our goal is that when these churches begin to grow in number and corresponding financial strength, they will be able to inject some financial support toward this initiative. Additionally, when/if the church plants become fully organized churches, they will begin to pay budgets increasing the District resources.