Leading Churches into Growth: Parish Renewal Across Manchester
More than 65 lay leaders and clergy from around 25 parishes gathered last weekend for their first Leading your Church into Growth (LyCiG) conference.
More than 65 lay leaders and clergy from around 25 parishes gathered last weekend for their first Leading your Church into Growth (LyCiG) conference. It marked the beginning of a new journey of parish renewal across the diocese. The conference brought together teams from churches of many different traditions, contexts and communities, united by a shared desire to see their churches grow in faith, discipleship and mission.
Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCiG) is an organisation that walks alongside churches, supporting them to grow in faith, mission and in numbers. Bringing together clergy and lay leaders, it offers practical tools, encouragement and support to help congregations develop a culture of discipleship, welcome, evangelism and leadership, enabling churches to discern and respond to God’s call in their local communities.
Over two days in the new space at St John’s House, participants explored themes including prayer, vision, leadership, evangelism, hospitality, worship and discipleship. Through teaching, discussion, worship and practical planning, church teams were encouraged to reflect on their local context and begin identifying their next steps for growth in their parish. The weekend also included a Eucharist led by Bishop Mark and opportunities for churches to pray together for renewal and transformation.
The conference forms part of the Diocese of Manchester’s wider commitment to Parish Renewal, one of the four priorities within our vision. LyCiG sits within the wider Parish Renewal programme as one of a number of learning opportunities designed to support churches at different stages of their journey. The programme combines practical teaching with ongoing accompaniment, with Area Deans, Mission Enablers and diocesan teams walking alongside participating parishes over the next nine months, turning ideas into action and supporting one another in the shared task of renewal.
Speaking after the gathering, the Revd Phil Cansdale, Director of Mission and Ministry, said:
“Across Manchester Diocese we meet faithful, committed churches serving their communities with great generosity. This weekend was about creating space for clergy and lay leaders to dream again, pray together and rediscover all that God might do through them. Parish renewal begins with hope. We are not looking for quick fixes, but for churches that are growing in missional confidence, and helping more people encounter Jesus Christ.”
Bishop Mark Davies, added:
“It was a joy to be at St John’s House, Bury, over the weekend for our LYCiG Conference. I am deeply grateful for all who took part, both clergy and lay people, and for the team whose hard work made the event possible. It was a fruitful and encouraging weekend of learning, reflection and conversation, and I continue to pray for all those participating as the programme unfolds over the coming months. We look forward with hope to the impact this will have on the life and mission of our parishes.”
A second LyCiG conference is already being planned for September 2027 for a new cohort of parishes, with information and bookings available in the spring.