About Us
Saint Martin’s Church is part of a Mission Community made up of the following:
Brampton Area Network Youth Church.
The Benefice of Lanercost with Walton, Gilsland and Nether Denton
Brampton and Gilsland Methodist Churches
The Benefice of Eden, Gelt and Irthing Team Ministry
In short, we are seeking to implement the Carlisle Diocese God for All strategy. Sharing resources to engage in Mission and Evangelism.
The Mission Community recognises the significance of chaplaincies, work in schools, youth work and many forms of pastoral work and social action communicating God’s love to the wider community.
Developing our Mission Community is about re-imagining ministry, putting Jesus’ Great Commission to “make disciples of all nations” at the top of our agenda.
Resources
Our resources are our message, our people (their gifts, talents, abilities, experience and knowledge), our buildings and finance, etc.
Mission
Priorities for mission to strengthen existing church life and worship (InReach); building up the prayer life, faith and understanding of those who come to church:
Christian nurture courses (e.g. Alpha, Christianity Explored, Difference)
Increasing commitment of laity to attend public worship
Encourage home Bible reading/personal prayer/Home group involvement
Preaching/Teaching about mission
Enable lay people to exercise God given gifts and talents
Encouraging lay participation in and leadership of services
Adding to the faith of young people (of all ages)
Priorities for mission to connect with people beyond our existing church life (OutReach):
Identifying the age group(s) we are not reaching
Work in/with schools
Chaplaincy Work (Brampton Hospital, Airport, British Legion, etc.)
Developing pastoral support for the wider community
Engaging in Social action
Develop online Mission Community presence
Social and fundraising events
Plans to Sustain and Develop missional engagement:
Develop confidence of the laity to engage in mission
Developing Mission Community and parishes online presence
Support funding for ongoing NYC and schools work
Appoint Mission Community admin support
Ways to monitor “success” of our ongoing mission strategy:
Increased attendance figures
Stewardship: levels of giving
Additional lay worship leaders, preachers, etc.
Vocations to recognised ministries
Changes in “church culture”
The aim of the Mission Community is to re-imagine ministry. It is not to add to our workload, but to put mission and outreach at the top of our agenda. And having done so, to keep it there!
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, … baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19, NIV)
Revd Stephen Robertson
8th June 2020