12 Keys to our Effective Church

Six Relational Characteristics:

1. Specific Mission Objectives. Our church has two or three objectives that involve strong groupings of the congregation in mission with persons who have specific human hurts and hopes (Bereavement Support, Social Committee and Worship & Pastoral Group).

2. Pastoral and Lay Visitation. Though a lost art in many churches, St John’s does consequential visitation with the unchurched, newcomers, constituents, and members on a fairly regular basis (Our clergy work with the dynamics of a vibrant, diverse and growing city centre population; our Christian Aid teams visit homes in the entire parish, on an annual basis).

3. Corporate, Dynamic Worship. The weekly services are holistic in music and message, planned and led by a compassionate, competent team of clergy and laity.

4. Relational Groups. Most people come to a local church looking for community and too often they are put onto a committee. Our church is constantly and intentionally striving to care and welcome others so they may discover roots, place and belonging.

5. Strong Leadership Resources. We train leaders to fill slots inside the church’s programme. As a Mission shaped church we nurture the majority of our leaders to be relational and caring with individuals and groups in the regional community.

6. Streamlined Structure and Solid, Participatory Decision Making. As a Mission shaped church we plan on the basis of our strengths, hopes and objectives. We try not to be preoccupied by needs and problems – but sometimes we recognisethat we have to fail before achieving success.

Our Six Functional Characteristics:

1. Several Competent Programmes and Activities. Our people attract people more than programmes. We have a vibrant Choir under the leadership of Stephen Barber and our church provides a city centre concert venue and is also open for refreshments on Monday afternoons (2.30pm to 4.30pm) and Wednesday and Saturday mornings (10am to 12 noon) as well as at other social and civic events. “Cards for Good Causes” is held annually and attracts people from the entire locality and beyond.

2. Open Accessibility. We are accessible in terms of disabled access and have leaders who are accessible to the community.

3. High Visibility. As a city centre mission shaped church we have a degree of geographic and grapevine visibility with churched and unchurched people in the community – and are constantly working to improve this. 

 4. Adequate Parking, Land, Landscaping. As a national average one parking space permits 1.75 persons to participate in the church and this is certainly true of our sister church, St Luke’s. Whereas, it is as high as 2.5 persons per parking space at St John’s and this has proved challenging. We have secured free parking on Sundays at the back of Barclays Bank and at Trinity Street car park until 1pm

5. Adequate Space and Facilities. Apart from our sister Church in Mayors Walk we have a detached Church Hall (St John’s Church Hall – Mayor’s Walk – which is leased by the City Council), complete with stage facilities. As a Mission shaped church we have reordered St John’s church building, with a clear perspective of our history over the last 600+ years and a vision for generations to come.

6. Solid Financial Resources. As a Mission shaped church we understand that people give money to people more than programmes, purposes or paper and we support both local and international charitable/voluntary organisations.