We are building a community whose aim is to live and love like Jesus and to get the people of Sunderland into heaven
Over the next three years we will aim to achieve the following seven goals:
- Find security in location
What should we do?
We believe that our mission is to the whole City of Sunderland.
The current configuration of the church; meeting at the Stadium of Light and having a base of operations in the city centre for young people’s and International outreach, is the right one for the short term. We need to grow our congregation numerically and in spiritual knowledge and maturity.
We will continue to seek a suitable location or building as our permanent home, preferably one with congregational space.
Looking ahead, we want to combine stability with flexibility. In this way we can be a safe and secure spiritual environment for those who need stability and, at the same time, a flexible operation giving opportunities for the more adventurous.
Beyond the next three years , we hope that we will be able to plant further churches as our numbers allow.
The final configuration of the church in the longer term we see as a wheel. The city centre location is the hub and the other locations being the spokes where a whole variety of activities (Sunday worship, youth worship, international outreach, etc) can take place.
How should we do it?
We will seek to get security of tenure in the Banqueting suite at the Stadium of Light and at a city centre location (Sunderland Free Church).
Should Sunderland Free Church not be able to accommodate us in the long-term we will seek other premises, one with a shop front in the city centre would be ideal.
What can you do?
Pray, and be alert to possible sites to investigate, or buildings that we could use, tell the leadership team what you have found.
- Develop refreshing ministry
What should we do?
We believe that our Sunday morning worship should seek to be spiritually enriching and accessible to both Christians and those who are ‘just looking’.
We recognize our need to provide more in-depth material for older Christians.
How can we do it?
For Sunday mornings…
We resolve to make these occasions both varied and interesting and not be afraid of experimenting to maintain their freshness.
Involve young people frequently and regularly in the Sunday morning programme.
We need to give people opportunities to extend their knowledge and skills, so we will begin to provide short course units on specific subjects and deliver them on Sunday mornings from 9 ‘till 10 before the service.
On Sunday evenings…
We believe it is important to continue to meet, primarily for praise and prayer, on Third Sunday.
And other times…
The Bodybuilding Course will continue and will be offered on weekday evenings and as a day-course on a Saturday.
We will develop a programme of spiritual retreat days for the refreshment and encouragement of believers.
What can you do?
Meet with us regularly and participate on Sundays
Do the Bodybuilding course and use other opportunities to expand your spiritual skills and knowledge
- Help people to belong
What should we do?
It is important that people feel welcome and can make a quick transition from ‘just visiting’ to actually belonging to the fellowship.
How can we do it?
We believe that cell groups are the key to integrating new people and we will continue to encourage excellence in the life of the groups through high-quality materials, encouraging their leaders, and appropriate cell division.
New young people ought to be positively encouraged to attend our youth events and cell groups.
The new Pastoral Support Team is going to become active in the role of spotting and following up newcomers, encouraging cell group membership where possible.
We will promote cell groups in the church more regularly and vigorously
What can you do?
Join a cell group, and encourage others to do the same
Show an interest in people who visit Bethany City Church, say hello and chat with people you don’t know
- Encourage people to pray
What should we do?
Prayer should be moved to the centre of our life as a church. Every decision, every activity and every person in the church should be prayed for
How can we do it?
A monthly ‘Prayer room’ where a Sunderland home is opened on Saturday mornings between 9.00 and 12.00 for an open prayer time.
Produce a regular (four times per year) magazine to encourage prayer and greater awareness of the church’s activities.
We will promote the prayer time before the Sunday morning service.
What can you do?
Use these opportunities to develop your own prayer life and to pray for the church
- Tell Sunderland about Jesus
What should we do?
We want to see at least fifty people come to faith in Christ during the course of each year for the next three years.
How can we do it?
We will provide teaching to enable every member to share their faith concisely and effectively
We should advertise the churches activities more regularly.
We will organize more regular bridge-building events that will bring people ‘within the circle where God’s love can reach and bless them’ (Jude 21 – Living Bible)
Run the Alpha course at least twice each year.
Initiate a cell group for those who are not-yet-Christians
What can you do?
Build friendships with family and friends who are not yet Christians
Invite people to things that we put on to build friendships
- Produce dynamic leaders
What should we do?
We are committed to develop leaders at every level in the church, identifying and training those with potential and giving them leadership responsibility.
How can we do it?
We will expand the current leadership team and initiate a quarterly Ministry Leaders Forum’ for mutual encouragement, prayer and discussion.
The work of the Leadership Academy should be continued and expanded.
Young people should be given leadership training and responsibility for youth activities wherever possible.
We will work with those who seek to provide training and development of leaders across the region (e.g. Global Leadership Summit).
Appoint apprentices who will follow a one year programme of training and working with City Church.
What can you do?
Pray that great leaders will emerge from our community
Be open to the possibility that you may be the answer to those prayers
- Train and resource volunteers
What should we do?
To recruit, train and empower volunteers to be effective in church ministry, especially in the areas of children and youth, international students and seniors/third age.
How can we do it?
With the help of funding from the Faith Communities Capacity Building Fund we are employing an individual to produce a strategy to do this, provide suitable training and seek further funding.
What can you do?
Get involved! Find out what you are good at by doing the Bodybuilding course and find a job you can do in the church