About the Vision and Strategy
The Church of England’s vocation is and always has been to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ afresh in each generation to the people of England. The vision and strategy is an invitation to dioceses and parishes to examine and develop existing strategies and processes in the light of these ideas.
“The overriding aim for the future is that any worshipping member of the Church of England, when asked by their friend where they could go to explore their faith, would be able to recommend an expression of Church locally that would really suit them.”
Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
Video: Stephen Cottrell, the Archbishop of York, talks about the emerging vision for the Church.
One vision
A Church for the whole nation which is Jesus Christ centred, and shaped by, the five marks of mission. A church that is simpler,
humbler, bolder.
Three priorities
- To become a church of missionary disciples where all God’s people are free to live the Christian life, wherever we spend our time Sunday to Saturday.
- To be a church where mixed ecology is the norm* – where every person in England has access to an enriching and compelling community of faith by adding new churches and new forms of Church to our parishes, cathedrals, schools and chaplaincies.
- To be a church that is younger and more diverse.
*the mixed ecology describes the flourishing of church and ministry in our parishes, and in other communities of faith through things like church planting, fresh expressions of church, and chaplaincy and online.
A church of missionary disciples
In this short film we hear people from different walks of life talk about how they live out their faith throughout the week. Visit the Church of England's Everyday Faith portal for bitesize resources on topics relevant to you that will help you find and follow God in everyday life.
A church where mixed ecology is the norm
“Mixed ecology will look different in every place. What we see in Suffolk is happening in Rochester where I am leaving, in Leicester where I am going and all over the country, reflecting the diversity of their contexts.” Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough
Watch a snapshot of the inspiring ways the Church in the Diocese are connecting communities with the good news of Jesus.
More resources
Blogs
Read a range of blogs exploring what it means to be centred on and shaped by Jesus Christ.
Find out moreWebinars
Register for upcoming webinars about the vision and strategic priorities of the Church for the next decade, and watch recordings of our previous webinars.
Find out moreThe picture below illustrates the shape of the vision and strategic priorities from the period of consultation with hundreds of people who reflect the breadth and diversity of the Church of England.
Read the commentary from the Archbishop of York that accompanies this illustration.
To help us achieve these strategic priorities we are looking at bringing simplicity and coherence to our governance structures, and the practical ways the Church is organised and gets things done that enable the local church to flourish.
Watch Archbishop Stephen Cottrell and Bishop Emma Ineson in conversation, talking about the vision and strategic priorities.
Links
- Read: Vision and Strategy – address to General Synod, November 2021, by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
- Read: Vision and Strategy – address to General Synod, July 2021, by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
- Read: Update on progress – address to General Synod, February 2021, by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
- Read: A Vision for the Church of England in the 2020s, 'Christ centred and Jesus shaped. Simpler, humbler, bolder' by Stephen Cottrell, Archbishop of York
- Read: A theological reflection on our emerging vision and priorities by Steven Croft, Bishop of Oxford
- Read: ‘Simplicity, humility, and boldness’: Archbishop of York outlines ten-year plan for the C of E, Church Times, November 2020
- Read: Renewal and Reform – a summary of progress and impact, April 2021
Read stories from churches across the country on how they are serving communities.
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