Stepping Forward Together with Faith, Clarity, and Courage

Note: the following notes are adapted from a recent Members meeting report I gave!

As we look ahead to the coming academic year (26/27), there’s a growing sense of excitement as we can see that we are not standing still as a church—we are being gently, but clearly. led forward.

This is not about busyness or ambition for its own sake. It’s about responding to what God is already doing among us. The same God who has been quietly and faithfully at work is now calling us to take deliberate, faith-filled steps into what comes next.

We don’t want to drift into the future. We want to move towards it—prayerfully, intentionally and together.

That’s why, as elders, we’ve been asking: what matters most right now? Where should we focus our energy, attention, and prayer and money if we are to move towards our vision—to grow a large, gospel-loving church that helps hundreds of people treasure and proclaim Christ across Stockport and South East Manchester?

Out of that process has come eight key priorities—our “big rocks” for the year ahead. These are not small tweaks; they are shaping commitments that will help define the next season of our life together. Would you take a read of these and then ask yourself, “so what’s my part in this?”

1. Strengthen The Mill; Grow Green Lane

As we’ve grown, new opportunities and new challenges have come with it. At The Mill, we are seeing many new people connecting in, which is a huge encouragement! But that also means we must intentionally strengthen the core—deepening relationships, commitment, and discipleship.

At the same time, we long to see Green Lane grow—welcoming new people, building momentum, and flourishing as part of the same shared vision.

Health and growth must go hand in hand.

2. Establish a Core Team for a Third Site

This is one of the most significant and faith-stretching steps in front of us. And this shouldn’t be a surprise as we talked about 2 ½ years ago, and again last year!

Over the next year, we are seeking to identify where a third site might be, gather a committed core team, and begin meeting—at the very least—to pray together.

It’s early stages. But we are looking to be intentional. And it’s a step towards seeing the gospel spread more widely across our South East Manchester.

3. Launch a New Growth Group and Midweek Discipleship Approach

If we are going to grow wider, we must also grow deeper.

This new approach to midweek life is about helping more people be rooted in God’s word, known in authentic community, and growing as disciples of Jesus. The nub of the idea is to use Wednesdays as a training evening where people can sign up for term/half-term courses.

It’s not just a structural change—it’s about shaping the spiritual depth of the whole church.

Look out for the booklet that will be coming out shortly to explain all!

4. Implement an Interim Operations Plan and Trustee Restructure

As our church grows, complexity increases. And if we don’t adapt, what once worked well can begin to hold us back. In fact, I would suggest this is probably the most challenging of all of our big rocks. Yes, way more challenging than planning a third site. Why? Because this is about changing the culture of a church and that’s really hard. In fact, many churches never manage this shift and as a result they stall in their mission.

This “big rock” is about building the kind of structure that can sustain healthy growth:

• Clearer governance
• Stronger eldership
• Better decision-making processes
• A healthier distinction between governance and day-to-day operations

Let me say it again: this may not be the most visible priority, but it is one of the most important foundations for the future.

5. Recruit a Ministry Trainee (Pastoral Care and Operations)

Healthy churches don’t just grow numerically—they grow leaders!

This new role is about supporting both pastoral care and day-to-day operations. It’s about releasing others to lead well, ensuring people are cared for, and enabling the whole church to flourish. We’ll be explaining much more about this over the autumn term with the hope we could launch this role in September 2027.

It’s a key step towards a more sustainable and effective staff team.

6. Recruit a Youth Worker

Well, how exciting! On Thursday 14^th May, Ben Rochford was appointed at the new full-time youth worker and deacon. He will take up this role in September. Please do be praying that over the coming season we can start to reach hundreds of young people across Stockport and South East Manchester!

7. Reboot Social Action

We are currently recruiting a part-time (fixed-term) Social Action Worker. This is a significant development for us as we look to reach out to the last, the least and the lost in our communities. Their role will involve:

• Building a team
• Connecting with agencies and other local provision
• Developing meaningful, impactful projects

We want to see the love of Christ expressed in practical ways to those who are most in need across our communities.

8. Develop Kids and Youth Outreach Across All Sites

If we are serious about the future, we must think big about reaching the next generation.

This involves rethinking how we run outreach across both current sites—and with a future third site in mind.

Wouldn’t it be incredible to see hundreds of children and young people reached with the good news of Jesus in the years to come?

So… What Can I Do?

With so much ahead, it’s easy to feel either excited—or slightly overwhelmed.

But this vision isn’t for “someone else.” It belongs to all of us. And each of us has a part to play.

Here are four simple, practical ways you can respond:

1. Pray — Regularly and Specifically

This is the most important thing you can do.

Pray for:

• Growth in depth and unity
• The strengthening of both sites
• The third site and future planting
• Key roles being filled (youth worker, trainee, social action worker)
• Wisdom for leaders as decisions are made

If you’re not sure where to start—pick one big rock and commit to praying for it regularly.

2. Get Involved — Play Your Part

You don’t need to do everything. But you can do something.

That might look like:

• Joining or committing more deeply to a growth group
• Serving on a team
• Giving to our mission – https://emmanuelcommunitychurch.churchsuite.com/donate/
• Supporting kids or youth work
• Getting involved in social action
• Helping welcome and integrate new people

The church grows best when everyone plays their part—even in small, faithful ways.

3. Be All In — Invest Relationally

One of the most powerful things you can do is simply build meaningful relationships.

• Invite people into your life.
• Welcome newcomers.
• Encourage others.
• Be present and engaged.

A strong church is not built primarily on events or structures—but on people who are committed to one another in Christ.

4. Step Forward in Faith

Much of what we are aiming for is beyond us.

That’s intentional!

So this is an invitation to trust God more deeply:

• To be open to new opportunities
• To step into areas of service you might not have considered
• To believe that God can do more than we might expect

The year ahead is full of opportunity.

And yes—it will stretch us. But it will also shape us.

Because the Lord who has been so faithful to us so far is calling us forward still.

The Lord has done great things for us… and He is not finished yet.