Prayer Diary - Summer 2017

SUMMER 2017

PRAYER DIARY

YOU MAKE KNOWN TO ME THE PATH OF LIFE; YOU WILL FILL ME WITH JOY IN YOUR PRESENCE. PSALM 16:11

SUPPORTING THE MINISTRIES OF CPAS THROUGH THE POWER OF PRAYER.

ABRAHAM REMAINED STANDING BEFORE THE LORD.

We value your prayers and support greatly.

This diary is designed to guide your prayers across the breadth of our work, offering a weekly theme, prayer points and a Bible verse to aid daily or weekly prayer.

GENESIS 18:22

CPAS Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY CV4 7EZ A company limited by guarantee Registered in England no 2673220 Registered charity no 1007820 Registered office at address above

www.cpas.org.uk @cpasnews /cpasnews

Editor: Hazel Lancefield Design: Catherine Jackson All Bible quotations taken from the New International Version.

Copyright CPAS 2017. All rights reserved. Permission is granted for the reproduction of text from this publication for CPAS promotional use only. For all other uses, please contact us.

This publication is printed on paper from farmed forests: for each tree felled, another is planted. The paper is chlorinefree and environmentally friendly.

Daily prayer points from CPAS are also available through the PrayerMate app on iOS and Android devices. Visit www.geero.net/prayermate or search in the App Store.

STANDING BEFORE THE LORD here are some biblical passages that are more comfortable to read than others! I recently found myself reading Abraham’s prayer for Sodom in Genesis 18 which, for some people, raises a number of perplexing questions: ‘Did God really “barter” in this way?’; ‘Why would God take such a tough line on Sodom?’ and ‘How can such a passage inform our prayers in the 21st century?’

T

In his book ‘Prayer’ (2014) Tim Keller refers to two different views on prayer: ‘communioncentred’ and ‘kingdom-centred’ prayers. He is careful not to drive a wedge between them, but suggests that some prayers tend towards adoration, worship and contemplation (communion-centred), whilst others tend towards intercession and supplication (kingdom-centred).

At the beginning of the story (18:22) we read that Abraham ‘remained standing before the Lord’ – and, given the intercession that follows, this is in order that Abraham might participate in God’s sovereign purposes for his world (i.e. kingdom-centred). If I may be so direct, the point of this diary is to draw us into such kingdom-centred prayer – to plead with God on behalf of his world.

In reading the end of the story I noticed something possibly for the first time: ‘When

the Lord had finished speaking with Abraham, he left’ (18:33). The striking thing about these words is that they indicate that the whole episode was happening under God’s sovereign enablement. In other words, it appears God had been wanting to be merciful to Sodom if he possibly could and had drawn Abraham into pleading for the city.

In the same way, I believe that God wants to draw us into pleading for the souls of men, women and children in our towns and cities, our parishes and holidays. The whole post-Fall narrative of Scripture is of God’s endeavour to rescue his world – and he draws us into interceding for that end.

Please do read Genesis 18 as you pick up this diary to pray. Allow your approach to prayer to be inspired and shaped by the example of Abraham and let your prayers be authored by the Spirit of the One who longs for us to plead for his world.

Thank you for your prayerful support.

John Dunnett General Director

www.cpas.org.uk info@cpas.org.uk

0300 123 0780

23-29 JULY

VENTURES AND FALCONS Ashdown Forest (14-18s)

THIS IS HOW WE KNOW THAT WE LIVE IN HIM AND HE IN US: HE HAS GIVEN US OF HIS SPIRIT. 1 JOHN 4:13

For your prayers: eenagers arrived for Ashdown Forest Venture holiday in West Sussex yesterday from Southampton, Luton, London, Surrey, Birmingham, elsewhere across the UK and even Ghana!

T

The talks are on the theme of ‘journey of faith’ and there will also be workshop streams running on three days focusing on worship, culture and song lyrics, creativity, relationships and sport.

As well as on-site activities (including scrapbooking, ultimate frisbee, a book club and a photo treasure hunt) there will be a day out in Brighton and an afternoon off-site for paddle boarding, laser tag, trampolining, pot painting and rock climbing.

Sun 23: Ashdown Forest: Overall leaders Hazel and Philip Line and Guy and Naomi Heywood and the team. Today there is a dorm challenge to help everyone get to know each other.

Mon 24: Ashdown Forest: For sunshine! Pray everyone can get involved in the activities (indoor and out) or just enjoy spending time with friends in the beautiful grounds.

Tue 25: Ashdown Forest: The off-site activities.

Also stone painting, badminton, photo treasure hunt, book club, crayon melting and 5-a-side football taking place today.

Wed 26: Ashdown Forest: An awakening in every young person as they hear the talks and engage with the workshops. Pray the teaching connects with their real lives.

Thu 27: Ashdown Forest: Continued good relations with the site. Also the catering team who are having to operate in a mobile kitchen this year.

Fri 28: Ashdown Forest: Today is the last full day with brunch, fun with inflatables, afternoon tea, swimming and a dinner party. Pray for fun and friendship.

Sat 29: Ashdown Forest: God to continue working in the teenagers. Pray everyone comes away today knowing life with God is real and moves forward in their faith.

04

VENTURES AND FALCONS

30 JULY-5 AUGUST

Stage-Fright 1 (8-12s)

THEREFORE, SINCE WE ARE RECEIVING A KINGDOM THAT CANNOT BE SHAKEN, LET US BE THANKFUL, AND SO WORSHIP GOD ACCEPTABLY WITH REVERENCE AND AWE. HEBREWS 12:28

For your prayers: Sun 30: Ireland: This week, three churches in Lisburn (Christ Church, Hilden and St Paul’s) are running holiday clubs to reach the many families in their parishes and on the estates.

he first of two Stage-Fright Ventures takes place this week in Lincolnshire. Overall leader Michael Johnson shares:

T

‘This year’s theme is “Kings”. We will be looking at different kings (from the Bible and also some examples from elsewhere) in the mornings and evenings. The theatre workshops will explore this same theme, giving the children the opportunity to actively and creatively respond to what they’re learning through drama, dance, writing and music.

‘Our hope is that, through the process, they will deepen their understanding of who God is and respond to his love, learn more about themselves and each other and grow in their gifts and abilities.’

Mon 31: Stage-Fright 1: As the children begin to explore the teaching and express their own ideas and responses, pray for creativity, boldness and spiritual insight.

Tue 1: Stage-Fright 1: New leaders and those who are stepping up to new responsibilities they haven’t had in previous years.

Wed 2: Leadership: The 5,643 leaders who are receiving the Lead On email today. This month’s featured article focuses on vision.

Thu 3: Stage-Fright 1: Good listening and for everyone to appreciate each other’s contributions and grow in confidence.

Fri 4: Stage-Fright 1: For the children to be filled with awe and wonder as they learn about King Jesus.

Sat 5: Stage-Fright 1: Parents are coming today for the end-of-week performance and to collect their children. Pray everyone does their best and the week ends on a big high!

05

6-12 AUGUST

VENTURES AND FALCONS Ripon 2 (12-18s)

I AM THE RESURRECTION AND THE LIFE. THE ONE WHO BELIEVES IN ME WILL LIVE, EVEN THOUGH THEY DIE. JOHN 11:25

For your prayers:

‘

e’re expecting 50-60 young people

at Ripon 2 Venture. Many are from W deprived backgrounds and so

we rely heavily on the bursary fund and fundraising to enable young people to come along.

‘Our theme is superheroes and we will be looking at the seven “I am” sayings of Jesus in John’s Gospel. It’s always incredible to have the chance to demonstrate Christ, teach and explore his call through his word and lead the young people in worshiping him through song and art.

‘We’ve planned a whole host of activities; from water games and wide games, to hunt the leader and a theme park trip.

We’ll also be going to How Stean Gorge for gorge walking, canoeing, caving and rock climbing!’

Claire Corley, Overall Leader

06

Sun 6: Ripon 2: As the holiday begins today, pray everyone will come with minds open to understand, ears ready to hear, eyes ready to see and hearts ready to believe.

Mon 7: Ripon 2: Safety both on and off site, particularly during the outdoor games and trip to How Stean Gorge.

Tue 8: Ventures and Falcons: For every young person on a CPAS holiday this week (approximately 800!) to either meet Christ for the first time or travel further in their relationship with him.

Wed 9: Ripon 2: Sam and Claire Corley and the rest of the leadership team as they demonstrate Christ’s love to the young people.

Thu 10: Ripon 2: Lots of laughter and life-giving friendships to be made and cemented.

Fri 11: Ripon 2: For the young people to meet Christ in every opportunity – through the day-today activities to the talks and the dorm times.

Sat 12: Falcons: Four Falcon holidays are about to begin. Pray for Carroty Wood 1 (more prayers to come next week!), Lee Abbey, Wydale and Dallam.

PCC Tonight TRAINING EVENINGS With over a thousand PCC Tonight packs sold so far, we’re delighted to be offering another series of training evenings to help your PCC become more focused, fun and fruitful.

The cost is £12 for the first booking and £3 for each additional member of your PCC, so bring several carloads along!

BATH, Thursday 21 September BICESTER, Tuesday 26 September SALE (near Manchester), Wednesday 4 October SWADLINCOTE, Wednesday 4 October NORWICH, Thursday 5 October BRADFORD, Tuesday 21 November WORCESTER, Thursday 1 February

Find out more at cpas.org.uk/pcc or call us on 0300 123 0780

13-19 AUGUST

VENTURES AND FALCONS Carroty Wood 1 (8-11s)

THE LORD IS GOOD TO THOSE WHOSE HOPE IS IN HIM, TO THE ONE WHO SEEKS HIM. LAMENTATIONS 3:25

For your prayers:

arroty Wood 1 Falcon takes place this week among the leafy woodlands of Kent at the Rock UK outdoor adventure centre. The children are from a range of backgrounds, including a group from a project called ‘Make Lunch’ which helps provide children’s lunches during the school holidays for families who struggle financially. Overall leader Sue Shrubb shares:

C

‘Our theme at Carroty Wood 1 will be the jungle, which will be a lot of fun! The Bible teaching will be based on questions youngsters might ask and finding the answers. The questions will be “What does God look like?”, “How did God make people?”, “Who was Jesus’ dad – Joseph or God?”, “Why did Jesus have to die?”, “How did Jesus come back to life?” and “How do we know the Bible is true?” Should keep us leaders on our toes!’

08

Sun 13: Carroty Wood 1: Children away from home for the first time. Pray also for new leaders to quickly feel part of the team and be able to use their gifts in God’s service.

Mon 14: Carroty Wood 1: Fun and laughter during this week and safety while they travel and whilst on site.

Tue 15: Carroty Wood 1: Those giving talks in the evening meetings and those leading quiet time groups, that it might be a special time of sharing with the children about God. Wed 16: Carroty Wood 1: Exciting new experiences for the youngsters that inspire them and build their confidence.

Thu 17: Ventures and Falcons: All the caterers and cooks. Pray for energy and joy in service as they work very hard preparing food for the young people and other leaders.

Fri 18: Ireland: For churches struggling to reach out and share the gospel with their communities. Ask God to break down barriers.

Sat 19: Carroty Wood 1: Ends today. Pray for good memories to take home, changed lives and God to touch everyone in a special way.

VENTURES AND FALCONS

20-26 AUGUST

Blaithwaite (11-18s) BEFORE THE MOUNTAINS WERE BORN OR YOU BROUGHT FORTH THE WHOLE WORLD, FROM EVERLASTING TO EVERLASTING YOU ARE GOD. PSALM 90:2

For your prayers: Sun 20: Blaithwaite: For the ‘big family feel’ of Blaithwaite to continue as they consolidate into a single holiday for the first time after several years of running in separate weeks.

‘

e are looking forward to fun, friendship, faith and food on Blaithwaite Venture! The young people get to choose between either a full week of outdoor activities (from kayaking to mountain boarding) or a mix of outdoor stuff and music (forming bands, song writing and more). We’re having a ‘Highlands and Islands’ theme this year which will involve highland games, ceilidhs, haggis and kilts.

W

‘For the teaching theme, we’ll be looking at Jesus through Mark: what he is like, what he does and how we can become more like him.

We’d love to see our young people encounter Jesus and take steps forward in their faith journey, whether that’s through the worship, teaching, activities and/or relationships.’

Christina Grant, Overall Leader

Mon 21: Blaithwaite: Safety in the outdoor activities and God’s blessing over relationships with the site team. (Many members of both the Blaithwaite team and the site team are relatively new.)

Tue 22: Ventures: The four holidays taking place this week for 14-18s: Oswestry 2, Haslemere C, Maidwell 3 and Sedbergh.

Wed 23: Blaithwaite: The leadership team.

Wisdom and grace for everyone, including those who are younger or less experienced.

Thu 24: Blaithwaite: Encounters with God. Pray this wouldn’t just be something that stays on the holiday but changes their lives when they go home too.

Fri 25: Blaithwaite: Good weather today. The young people are going to the beach and playing a big wide-game, so good weather is particularly important.

Sat 26: Blaithwaite: Praise God for all he has done in the 77 young people on Blaithwaite as they return home today.

09 07

27 AUGUST2 SEPTEMBER

VENTURES AND FALCONS Barnstondale (8-12s)

HE WHO BEGAN A GOOD WORK IN YOU WILL CARRY IT ON TO COMPLETION UNTIL THE DAY OF CHRIST JESUS. PHILIPPIANS 1:6

For your prayers: Sun 27: Barnstondale: For children who have never been away from home before. May they feel happy and included as soon as they arrive.

Mon 28: Patronage churches: Vacancies in London diocese. Pray for good appointments at Mildmay Grove, Upper Holloway and Christ Church with St John and St Saviour, Highbury.

Tue 29: Barnstondale: For a great team atmosphere, with new leaders being able to join in fully and use their gifts.

T

here are lots of exciting activities taking place at Barnstondale Falcon this week including sailing, footgolf, an adventure park and a trip to the zoo.

Barnstondale is set in 15 acres of Wirral countryside, with the majority of the children coming from Ellesmere Port in Cheshire.

Overall leader Debbie Wilkinson asks us to pray: ‘For new children who are staying away from home for the first time, new team members who haven’t experienced a Falcon before and for firm relationships to be built.’

10

Wed 30: Barnstondale: Strong relationships to be built through all the fun games, activities, meal times and journeys together.

Thu 31: Ventures and Falcons: God to continue his work in all the young people who have taken part this summer as they prepare to go back to school, college and work.

Fri 1: Leadership: Promotional emails are going out over the next few days for several autumn training events. Pray for lots more leaders and PCC members to book on.

Sat 2: Local churches: For churches to be welcoming to newcomers as many people move to new areas for work or study in September.

LEADERSHIP

3-9 SEPTEMBER

Ordinands

FOR EVERY HOUSE IS BUILT BY SOMEONE, BUT GOD IS THE BUILDER OF EVERYTHING. HEBREWS 3:4

For your prayers: Sun 3: Ventures and Falcons: Praise God for all he has done this summer in the lives of thousands of children and young people.

ver the next few weeks, approximately 450 women and men will begin ordination training in the UK. CPAS leadership specialist Ian Parkinson is delivering missional leadership training to hundreds of these future church leaders at seven theological education institutions including Trinity Bristol, St Mellitus (St Aidans), St Hild College and Cranmer Hall.

O

As well as praying for those currently in training, we will also be praying this week for those who recently graduated and are now starting their first post. Graduates of colleges where CPAS delivers training received a gift pack and access to free leadership resources and information on what CPAS offers to support and develop them including Mentor Connect, the Arrow Leadership Programme and Lead On. Please join us in praying that our ongoing support will help further develop these key missional leaders in the years to come.

Mon 4: Ordinands: Those starting at theological college this month. Pray God will use this time of training to do amazing things now and in the years to come.

Tue 5: Ordinands: Ian as he embarks on a new term of teaching. Pray for him as he prepares and delivers training over the coming months.

Wed 6: Ordinands: Everyone who received the CPAS gift pack as they settle in to their first roles as ordained ministers. May they be helped and supported by what CPAS offers.

Thu 7: Ordinands: Those who God is calling to ordained ministry. Pray for them as they go through the discernment process and consider which training course or college to attend.

Fri 8: Ordinands: Following June’s IME symposium, pray for CPAS’ role in delivering missional leadership training in the first seven years of ministerial education.

Sat 9: Wales: Fresh approaches to mission across the nation following the consultations earlier this year led by ‘A New Mission to Wales’ churchplanting network.

11

10-16 SEPTEMBER

PATRONAGE CHURCHES Knaphill and Brookwood (Guildford)

BUT TO EACH ONE OF US GRACE HAS BEEN GIVEN AS CHRIST APPORTIONED IT. EPHESIANS 4:7

For your prayers: Sun 10: Knaphill and Brookwood: Today a new 5pm service is being launched at Holy Trinity for those who can’t make it to a Sunday morning service.

Mon 11: Knaphill and Brookwood: For problems with the heating system at Holy Trinity to be sorted before winter. Also for development of the buildings at both churches to progress and be used for more community work.

Tue 12: Ireland: September is the month when ordinations happen. Pray for those starting their curacies and for the churches they will serve.

naphill and Brookwood are urban villages of Woking. There are a large number of commuters living in the two communities as well as a large number of families, with three schools between the two villages.

K

The two churches have largely older congregations, but with a smaller number of young families attending. St Saviour’s, Brookwood sees around 20-30 people attending on a Sunday, while Holy Trinity, Knaphill sees closer to 100.

With new initiatives starting over the coming academic year, both churches are focusing on growing their youth and families work. There are also home groups within the church as well as events and groups for older people, including lunch clubs, the ‘Silver Stars’ group and ‘Holiday at Home’ trips and activities.

06 12

Wed 13: Knaphill and Brookwood: For the Holy Spirit to move among the people resulting in radical transformation and growth. Vicar Neil Hopkins would love to see Holy Trinity grow to 200 people and St Saviour’s to 100 people, all passionately following Jesus.

Thu 14: Knaphill and Brookwood: An increase in the churches’ connections with the three schools in the area, particularly in Knaphill, leading to more families coming.

Fri 15: Knaphill and Brookwood: For the continuing growth of Messy Church, the puppet service and Café Church at St Saviour’s.

Sat 16: Knaphill and Brookwood: For people to have the time, energy and enthusiasm to be able to get behind new initiatives in the churches.

CPAS

17-23 SEPTEMBER

Busy Autumn Season

A

s we enter the autumn, life at CPAS is a hive of activity. The follow-up to this summer’s 81 Ventures and Falcons continues, while our Leadership and Patronage teams are also embarking on a busy season of equipping leaders for the roles God has called them into.

Many churches will have men and women embarking on CPAS courses such as Growing Leaders, Mentoring Matters and PCC Tonight, and all around the country small group leaders will be poring over different resources to study over the coming months, aided by the reviews on our DiscipleKit website.

This week the CPAS team will be pausing from the busyness for a staff away day to unite around our mission-enabling plans and pray for God to empower us in our work growing his kingdom.

FOR IN HIM WE LIVE AND MOVE AND HAVE OUR BEING.

For your prayers: Sun 17: CPAS: Give thanks for all the local churches which generously support the work of CPAS through prayer and giving.

Mon 18: Ireland: Connor diocesan synod takes place tomorrow in Carrickfergus. Pray for them and the many other Irish dioceses that hold their synods around this time.

Tue 19: CPAS: Today the staff team gathers in the West Midlands for a day away to pray, listen, learn and grow together.

Wed 20: Scotland: The Scottish Episcopal Church will be appointing new bishops to dioceses where current bishops are retiring. Pray for God’s guidance over this process.

Thu 21: CPAS: Ask for good relationships with sites (mainly schools and activity centres) to be used for Ventures and Falcons next year.

Fri 22: CPAS: We have a group of interns at CPAS this year. Ask God to clarify how he’s equipping and calling them as they serve in this way.

Sat 23: CPAS: Our plans to deepen and further our relationships with our 500+ patronage incumbents and churches.

ACTS 17:28

07 13

24-30 SEPTEMBER

LEADERSHIP Resourcing Individuals

his summer saw the release of CPAS’ latest resource to equip individual leaders. In Lead On, James Lawrence offers 30 reflections for leaders to engage with over a structured period of time.

T

‘The idea is to help leaders do a sort of “leadership stocktake” and give them ideas and inspiration as they live out their calling to build God’s kingdom,’ James explained.

Lead On draws material from CPAS’ Lead On email which goes to over 5,000 leaders every month.

The latest book in the Grove Leadership Series was also released this summer.

In Enabling Succession, CPAS leadership specialist Ian Parkinson offers advice on how to navigate the process of developing those who will take on our own roles in the future.

Please join us in praying that CPAS’ resources will continue to have a big impact on leaders so we can see churches strengthened and equipped for mission.

WATCH YOUR LIFE AND DOCTRINE CLOSELY. PERSEVERE IN THEM, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR HEARERS. 1 TIMOTHY 4:16

14

For your prayers: Sun 24: Resourcing individuals: Leaders reading the Lead On book and email. Ask God to use these resources to enable them to do great things in their churches and communities.

Mon 25: Resourcing individuals: As the Grove Leadership Series continues to grow, pray for God’s guidance for the editorial team as they consider new titles to commission.

Tue 26: Leadership: Charles Burgess leading the first session of the latest leadership course for Bristol diocese today and tomorrow. The participants will focus on the foundations of Christian leadership.

Wed 27: Resourcing individuals: Leaders who are isolated in ministry, particularly those who don’t have a team around them. Pray God provides the support and inspiration they need.

Thu 28: Resourcing individuals: Those reading Ian Parkinson’s Enabling Succession. Pray they will identify those who may take on their leadership roles in the future.

Fri 29: Ventures: The Wirral School Venture takes place this weekend at Quinta residential centre.

40-65 children from four schools in Chester diocese are taking part.

Sat 30: Leadership: Graham Archer is leading training today for licensed lay ministers in Peterborough diocese on the topic of ‘Refreshing yourself in ministry’.

A NEW BOOK OFFERING 30 REFLECTIONS FOR LEADERS TO ENGAGE WITH, DRAWING FROM CPAS’ POPULAR LEAD ON EMAILS.

Find out more at www.cpas.org.uk/leadon

1-7 OCTOBER

PCC TONIGHT Training Evenings

BUT BE SURE TO FEAR THE LORD AND SERVE HIM FAITHFULLY WITH ALL YOUR HEART; CONSIDER WHAT GREAT THINGS HE HAS DONE FOR YOU. 1 SAMUEL 12:24

For your prayers: Sun 1: PCC Tonight: The 1000+ people who have bought a PCC Tonight pack. Pray it is being well used to help their churches move forward in mission.

Mon 2: PCC Tonight: More bookings for the PCC Tonight evening in Bradford on 21 November.

Pray many people book on as reminder emails go out soon.

he autumn programme of PCC Tonight training evenings is in full swing. The first two events happened last week in Bath and Bicester with three more taking place this week in Sale, Swadlincote and Norwich.

T

The purpose of these evenings is to help PCCs become more fun, focused and fruitful so they can better lead their church in living out God’s calling. Whole PCCs often attend together to learn about the place and purpose of PCCs and hear about some ways to tackle common dysfunctions including tricky group dynamics, poor communication and lack of follow through. They are also introduced to the PCC Tonight resource pack to use back at church.

16

Tue 3: PCC Tonight: PCC members who are struggling to thrive in their role. Ask God to change this and bring them new joy and fruitfulness.

Wed 4: PCC Tonight: Training evenings taking place in Sale (near Manchester) and Swadlincote (Derbyshire) tonight.

Thu 5: PCC Tonight: Graham Archer as he leads the training in Norwich this evening. Pray everyone goes home feeling inspired and enthused.

Fri 6: Scotland: The recent Brierley Consultancy report on the Scottish Church Census has shown that church congregations are declining.

Pray this will turn around.

Sat 7: Scotland: Praise God for the areas of the Church that are seeing encouragement, including Fresh Expressions, street pastors and Messy Church.

PATRONAGE CHURCHES

8-14 OCTOBER

St Luke’s Bricket Wood (St Albans)

ricket Wood is bordered by the M25 and the M1, which creates a strong village community. Vicar Kylie Hodgins sees this as one of the real strengths of the parish. St Luke’s sees around 50-55 adults plus up to 10 children attending on Sundays, and whilst currently geared more towards the elderly, they are also focusing on bringing more families and young people into the church.

B

Current ministries include house groups, a small junior church, a midweek service and a lunch club for the elderly. A group has also recently started to meet to pray midweek mornings and the church building is used by a playgroup and a doctor’s surgery.

For your prayers: Sun 8: Bricket Wood: The church’s work with children and young people as they seek to develop their programme and grow new leaders.

Mon 9: Bricket Wood: Growth in numbers, including seeing people coming to faith for the first time, and growth in terms of families and young people.

Tue 10: Patronage: Interviews are taking place at Oldbury in Wiltshire today and Mildmay Grove in London on Thursday. Pray the right leaders are appointed to these parishes.

Wed 11: Bricket Wood: Re-establishing links across the community and Kylie’s work in the local school.

Thu 12: Bricket Wood: The PCC as they continue the process of developing a vision for the church and creating a Mission Action Plan.

Fri 13: Multi-parish benefices: The Hereford Thrive learning community meets today and tomorrow led by Pam Macnaughton and David Bartlett.

Sat 14: Bricket Wood: As the church celebrates its 80th birthday, pray for all the different celebrations taking place including evangelistic events.

FOLLOW GOD’S EXAMPLE, THEREFORE, AS DEARLY LOVED CHILDREN AND WALK IN THE WAY OF LOVE. EPHESIANS 5:1-2

17

15-21 OCTOBER

LEADERSHIP National Larger Anglican Churches Consultation

rom Monday to Wednesday, the seventh National Larger Anglican Churches Consultation (NLACC) will take place at High Leigh in Hertfordshire. The consultation is a much-valued opportunity for leaders of larger Anglican churches (usual Sunday attendance of 350+) to network and receive focused teaching on the leadership challenges that are specific to the larger church context.

F

The 2017 consultation will explore how leaders within larger churches can address and work through some of the barriers to growth with sessions on leadership, discipleship, pathways to growth and being counter-cultural.

Julian Henderson, Bishop of Blackburn, will be delivering the Bible readings. Other speakers include Ric Thorpe (Bishop of Islington), Ian Paul (theologian and blogger) and Glynn Harrison (former Professor of Psychiatry).

THE WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH …

HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH STRONGHOLDS. WE DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD. 2 CORINTHIANS 10:4-5

18

For your prayers: Sun 15: NLACC: Speakers Julian Henderson, Glynn Harrison, Anne Maclaurin, Ian Paul, Matthew Porter, Charlie Skrine and Steve Silvester and chairs Chris Green and Shiela Porter.

Mon 16: NLACC: Leaders as they think about their own spiritual life. Ask God to reveal any ‘blind spots’ and help them lead from a place of security in his love and grace.

Tue 17: NLACC: Fruitful idea sharing as the delegates learn and share about disciple-making models, tools and programmes that are working well in larger church contexts.

Wed 18: NLACC: The delegates as they think about how, in our individualist and consumerist culture, church members can be active contributors and churches can be places of genuine community.

Thu 19: Patronage: Interviews are taking place today for the role of incumbent at Nailsea Holy Trinity, with Patronage Secretary John Fisher on the interview panel.

Fri 20: NLACC: For the consultation to result in significant growth in the larger churches and other congregations they resource and influence.

Sat 21: Ventures and Falcons: Autumn Falcon and Bridgwater 1 Venture begin today. Pray for the leaders as they set everything up and welcome the young people.

GIVING TO CPAS Our ministry helping local churches share the gospel with the communities around them is only possible because of the generous gifts of churches and individuals like you.

Thank you for your support.

Ways to Give Personal donations

You can give one-off or regular gifts to CPAS in a variety of ways. Make a donation online, send a cheque through the post or contact our Finance team on the details below to make a donation over the phone or request a Standing Order form.

Church giving

Whether your local church serves a village, town or city, by supporting our ministry as a church you are contributing towards mission-enabling work across the UK and Republic of Ireland. Please visit our website or call us to find out more.

Legacies

Leaving a legacy to CPAS is a fantastic way to help us continue enabling churches to help every person hear and discover the good news of Jesus Christ. Find out more online or contact us on the details below.

www.cpas.org.uk /donate

‘We have never been so amazed and humbled by a group of young people, or by what God can do.’ Dan and Anna Wood, Falcon leaders

CPAS, Sovereign Court One (Unit 3), Sir William Lyons Road, University of Warwick Science Park, COVENTRY CV4 7EZ 0300 123 0780 supporter.relations@cpas.org.uk

Over 200 resources now reviewed