Two new Mission Areas have been launched in the Diocese of Bristol.
More than 90 people from across the Diocese joined Bishop Mike and the Ven Christine Froude, Archdeacon of Malmesbury, to see the launch of the two areas in Avonside, based in the suburban and outer estates of north-west Bristol, and the town of Yate.
A Mission Area brings together parishes committed to developing a coordinated approach to mission across a wider geographical area; to focus, share and multiply mission resources and practice; and to provide a context in which new leaders and ministers can explore vocation and develop in a mission focused setting.
Each Mission Area is centred on a a parish that has been fruitful in making disciples, growing leaders and engaging younger generations, that has the right kind of leadership and a wider vision for their area to become a church that resources the wider area.
These resource churches have shown their potential to grow and support other churches. The churches have been chosen because they have been fruitful in making disciples, growing leaders and engaging younger generations and have strong leadership and a wider vision for their area.
A further Mission Area will be launched in north Wiltshire later in the year.