Seven benefice teams gathered in Debenham for the Diocese’s third Leading Your Church into Growth (LYCiG) conference in June, reflecting a growing commitment to mission, discipleship and church growth across Suffolk.
It was a joy to see teams from Beccles to Bury St Edmunds to the Brett Valley coming together, each church from different sizes, traditions and contexts.
Over the last three years, those attending LyCiG have come from a mix of rural multi-parish benefices, market towns and larger towns. Each team comes with the same heart: to engage in God’s mission, see their churches grow, and make a difference in their communities. But alongside this, mission can sometimes seem daunting, and LYCiG aims to equip and encourage church leaders and congregations with practical tools, fresh ideas and renewed confidence to take meaningful next steps.
Participants speak of the ways in which it gives them confidence and ideas for practical next steps, and sets them on a journey of praying and working for growth together.
This year our key note speakers were Charlotte Graham, Sue Cooke and Graham Naylor, themselves representing a range of backgrounds and church traditions. Each brought their own experience of leading growing churches, and stories aplenty of seeing God at work.
The conference was supported by Archdeacon Rich; the Revd Katie de Bourcier, Diocesan Mission Enabler; and others from the Mission and Ministry Team. As well as hearing from the LYCIG speakers, benefice teams had activities and times of discussion and reflection to help them apply what they were hearing. And for many, LyCiG exceeded their expectations. One participant said afterwards that they left with “a plan for the future, a sense of direction, [and] reassurance that we are … ready to start".
The conference is not just a one-off – praying and working for church growth is a long-term business, after all. The diocesan Mission Team will host three follow-up events during the coming year, and taster sessions for those who haven’t been to LYCIG before.
There are already encouraging signs of growth emerging from this year’s conference. Churches are committing to praying regularly and intentionally for growth; one participant found the confidence to offer to pray with a friend who had been struggling; and a benefice team are planning to run “LYCIG Local” to share what they have learnt with others in their local churches.
Reflecting on the impact of the programme, the Revd Katie de Bourcier said “LYCIG isn’t rocket science: it is tried and tested tools, and useful frameworks to help churches think clearly about how they can best share the good news of Jesus. It makes mission feel “do-able.”
If you are interested in future LYCIG events, or other support with mission and church growth, please email: Katie de Bourcier.
