ANOTHER CAPITAL IDEA TABLE OF CONTENTS HOME ABOUT US ANOTHER CAPITAL IDEA TWEET SHARE PRINT Another Capital Idea The Diocese of London is looking forward to the next phase of its shared life in 2012 and beyond as it seeks to honour Jesus Christ in the capital. Key to this will be reviewing its long-term strategic framework, the London Challenge. As part of this process, Bishop Richard asked Bob Jackson and Alan Piggot to re-examine the themes of the 2003 report A Capital Idea, which noted exceptional church growth within the diocese. Their report, entitled Another Capital Idea, updates the progress and patterns of growth up to 2010, and makes further suggestions for the future growth and flourishing of the churches. Is the Church in London still growing? In a word 'Yes', but it depends what you look at. Membership numbers continue to rise strongly. Numbers recorded on churches' Electoral Rolls are growing on average by around 2.5% each year. Numbers actually attending church services have risen since 2003, but by a much smaller amount. The 'Usual Sunday Attendance' measure peaked in 2007, since when it has fallen back by 2%. The 'October Count' measure (which includes attendance at weekday services) peaked in 2006. It has fallen back by 4% since then. With membership continuing to grow strongly while attendance has begun to fall slightly, committed people may be coming to church less often. Patterns of growth A small church in inner London without a vacancy but which has started a new congregation, perhaps on a weekday, and invested in children’s and families’ ministry is highly likely to have grown in recent years. A larger church in outer London with a vacancy, a constant service pattern and a small or average proportion of children is highly likely to have shrunk. Encouraging growth Positive strategies are available to combat the forces of decline and generate new growth in the twentyfirst century. The most powerful of these include better welcome, better vacancies, removing glass ceilings, encouraging connectedness groups, new service times, planting new worship events and transplanting from the large into the small. Authors The Ven Bob Jackson Church Growth Consultant venerablebob@googlemail.com The Revd Dr Alan Piggot Consultant Mission Researcher alan.piggot@london.anglican.org RESOURCES Another Capital Idea full report Another Capital Idea summary WHO'S WHO EXPLORE THE DIOCESE SYNODS & COMMITTEES THE LONDON PLAN ANOTHER CAPITAL IDEA MAGAZINE RACK FAQS ABOUT THE DIOCESE SITE MAP PRIVACY & COOKIES FIND A CHURCH SAFEGUARDING CONTACT US PARTNER SITES ST PAUL'S CATHEDRAL ALMA BOARD FOR SCHOOLS ST PAUL'S INSTITUTE CHURCH OF ENGLAND Follow us on Twitter Find us on Facebook Copyright ©2014 London Diocesan Fund Design by Paperjam Site by Chapel Studios / myDiocese