Gordano Valley Circuit

Circuit Policy

Bristol District

Churches in the Circuit

Circuit Plan

The Circuit exists as part of the Methodist Church Bristol District, which in turn is part of the Connexion. It is useful to put the Gordano Valley Circuit Policy in the context of these 'parents' .

From the Methodist Church UK site we read of 'Our Calling'. This refers to:

Worship
The Church exists to increase awareness of God’s presence and to celebrate God’s love

Learning and Caring
The Church exists to help people to grow and learn as Christians, through mutual support and care.

Service
The Church exists to be a good neighbour to people in need and to challenge injustice.

Evangelism
The Church exists to make more followers of Jesus Christ.

Our Calling Priorities: find out more...

From the District we hear that there is now feedback from 'Our Calling', and this has led us to:

Priorities for the Methodist Church.
These can be read on the Methodist Church Web Site, and a full report at this site, but a summary is as follows:

In partnership with others wherever possible, the Methodist Church will concentrate its prayers, resources, imagination and commitments on this priority:

To proclaim and affirm its conviction of God’s love in Christ, for us and for all the world; and renew confidence in God’s presence and action in the world and in the Church

As ways towards realising this priority, the Methodist Church will give particular attention to the following:

Underpinning everything we do with God-centred worship and prayer

Supporting community development and action for justice, especially among the most deprived and poor - in Britain and worldwide

Developing confidence in evangelism and in the capacity to speak of God and faith in ways that make sense to all involved

Encouraging fresh ways of being Church

Nurturing a culture in the Church which is people-centred and flexible

The Circuit Policy, which was accepted by the Circuit Meeting May 2004, is as follows:

The circuit exists to encourage and enable the mission of its churches. To this end, it will, within the over-all calling of the Methodist Church:-

Provide appropriate, sustainable and affordable resource to empower the local Church community for Mission and Evangelism.
Support strategically local Church Community actions in resourcing their own missions.
Support, enable, develop and train Local Preachers and worship leaders, recognising the centrality within church life of worship, its diversity and relevance to all ages and backgrounds.
Provide appropriate pastoral care and professional support for its paid employees, lay and ordained.
Constantly review and facilitate training needs within the circuit.
Encourage the sharing of good practice across all areas of church life.
Ensure that circuit churches operate within the Constitutional Practice and Discipline of the Methodist Church , in particular in respect of legal requirements.
Identify and encourage appropriate sharing of human and other resources to stimulate the mission of its churches at all levels.
Encourage ecumenical co-operation within the Circuit where the mission of the whole church of God is furthered.

This policy is subject to a five yearly review.

We now look to see HOW we can obtain these aims, through a Development Plan.