As people learn to serve and follow Christ, they will be looking for practical opportunities to use their gifts; to be mentored and coached in developing their skills further; and to be released into acts of service, not simply in their own church, but out into the community and the wider world.
The CPAS Growing Leaders course allows people to explore the foundations of their character as they identify and develop the skills that God has given them.
Members of ten churches from across Kingswood and South Glos Deanery have been gathering together at St Michael's Stoke Gifford once a month to take part in the year-long course.
Each of the 38 participants has been assigned a mentor to help guide them through a project over the 12 months.
The Revd Simon Jones, vicar at St Michael's and Area Dean for Kingswood and South Glos, said it was important to ensure that people were given the space to develop their gifts.
He said: "Leadership development is one of the key priorities for the Diocese as part of the Creating connections vision; therefore, we need to be intentional about developing people's gifts.
Leadership is always a mix of what you learn by experience and what you can glean from others. The Growing Leaders course has both of those strands.
"It is exciting to think of 38 people developing their gifts as they serve within churches, communities and the wider world."
What next?
- Find out more about the Growing Leaders course at www.cpas.org.uk.
- Consider how your church can invest in developing gifts to help people better serve the Church and the wider community.
- You can find additional resources for developing gifts in your church - including 'How to...' guides and Exploring Christianity - on this website.