reIMAGINE Circuits 2018 Planning for Life

In February and March 2018 local leaders from around the Methodist Church gathered at four one day conferences in Newcastle, Manchester, London and Bristol to explore how to reIMAGINE Circuits.

MAIN SPEAKERS: Jorge Acevedo and Patti Nemazie

Jorge and Patti are pastors from Grace Church, a multi-site United Methodist congregation with five campuses in Florida. More details of this church can be found on their website: www.egracechurch.com

Jorge is the Lead Pastor for Grace Church, roughly equivalent to a British Superintendent. He suggested how we could reimagine circuit by learning from their experience of multi-site churches. His talk explained how they worked across campuses (individual church buildings) and how the staff team aligned themselves to a common set of principles.

Watch Jorge's talk at the Manchester conference here:

Patti is the campus pastor in Sarasota. She spoke about being a presence in the local community through re-founding and turning around a church: a hopeful experience of death and life. She was able to share her testimony of coming to faith, and her journey to leadership in the church, which helped to shape the ministry she now has. She spoke about having courage and patience when building a new congregation, and the importance of working within the wider Grace Church team.

Watch Patti's talk at the Manchester conference here:

Additional speakers offered examples of new and encouraging ways of working from around the UK to reflect on what we can learn and apply in our local context.

Anthony Clowes, Potters Church, Stoke-on-Trent, spoke about his experience of planting a new congregation in a tired building.

Elaine Lindridge, Mission Enabler, Newcastle District, described developments in the North East and reminded us of the current focus on planning for growth.