Why our focus is on ‘growing small’

As Derby City Church welcomes dozens of new faces, it is being intentional about doing things in smaller groups.

Pastor Andy Lenton (pictured above, inset) explains how.

“We’ve had more than 100 new people join us in the past two years,” says Derby City Church pastor Andy Lenton.

That’s why, as the congregation has grown across all age groups, the church’s leadership team have been pondering the best way to maintain its friendly and well-connected feel.

The situation Derby City’s leaders find themselves in now is very different to when Andy and his wife Lisa joined the church three years ago.

“We came halfway through Covid, just after the previous pastor Dave Ayling had passed away suddenly,” Andy explains.

“It was a grieving church and they’d gone straight from losing Dave into lockdown. It was a double-whammy and a really tough time.

“Our associate pastor Dan Hudson was running things and had done a fantastic job, but at the time he was still training as a minister.

“That’s why we came, and I’ll admit it was quite a scary situation to come into.”

THIS ISN'T THE END OF THE STORY!

Read the whole article in context in the May 2024 issue of Direction Magazine.

Direction Magazine

Direction is the official monthly publication of the Elim Pentecostal Churches in the UK, and is packed with all Elim's latest news, inspiration, vision and teaching. Find the latest edition and many back issues of Direction here.