At the beginning of January, just over 30 leaders from across the South West gathered in Taunton for the launch of the regional Growing Faith Strategic Leaders’ Programme (GFSLP).
The GFSLP programme:
- Has a transformative impact on children and young people’s faith formation
- Professionally develops leaders, and aspiring leaders, bringing sustained change in a range of contexts
- Provides a space for a collaborative learning community which models the intersections of Growing Faith (church, home and school).
It has been running nationally for the past 2 years, with more than 70 leaders from across the country having completed the programme. The South West is the first area to pilot running the programme as a regional partnership.
Ian Snares, Vicar Holy Trinity Frome from Bath and Wells is one of those taking part. Speaking after the launch he said:
“GFSLP has come at an incredibly helpful time for me. There’s a real sense that God is doing an exciting new thing at Trinity, and children and young people are at the heart of it. So, as Vicar, I’m hoping that GFSLP will help me grow as a leader who releases others of all ages into God’s very best purposes and sets the culture that allows children and young people to be front and central in all we are and all we do.”
The dioceses of Bristol, Bath and Wells, Exeter, Salisbury and Truro are partnering together to run the programme, with between 4 and 8 participants from each diocese taking part. Participants hold a wide range of roles including school chaplains, youth and children’s workers, clergy, diocesan support staff and school leaders.
Throughout the year long programme, participants will engage in online learning in their own time, be part of a range of coaching sessions, as well as gather in person.
At the launch, participants were inspired by Stephen Beamond, Programmes Lead for the Growing Faith Foundation, Dave Watson the CEO of Sherborne Area Schools Trust and Caroline Deakin, priest at St Peter’s, Weston Super Mare.
Cheryl Govier, Assistant Director (Education and Leadership) for Bath and Wells, said: “It’s an exciting moment for the South West and we’re delighted to be involved in this partnership. A number of people from Bath and Wells have already completed the national programme and having seen the transformative impact this has had we are keen to see how this might impact more leaders across our region. We are thrilled to be working with four other dioceses to make this happen and with God’s help, we look forward to seeing the difference this programme can make to our region.”
