The Building Is The Burden (Lightening The Load)

Many church leaders in low income areas know that their building is more than bricks and mortar - it is a community space for people to come to, to find peace, contact, practical support and God. Our buildings are a key asset. However, we also know that many were built quickly and cheaply many decades ago, and now show serious signs of aging, wear and tear. Yet many congregations do not have the resources for the increasing levels of maintenance, and the ongoing upkeep issues increasingly weigh leaders down drawing them away from their primary missional calling.

The key asset has now become a burden.

This conference aims to give church leaders practical advice and support to tackle such problems. Using expertise from the Church of England's central Housing Project, and the Church Urban Fund, the day will be a mix of teaching, sharing and seminars, where nuts and bolts questions can be asked of those with the answers.

Our prayer is that this conference will go some way to freeing church leaders of the burden to do what they have been primarily called to do - share the Gospel and God's love in their local community.

Tickets are £25 (including lunch)

Provisional Conference Agenda

The Building is the Burden

Lightening the Load: Reimagining Church Buildings for Mission and Community

🕘 09:30 – Arrival, Registration & Coffee

🕙 10:00 – Welcome & Opening Prayer

🕥 10:15 – Opening Keynote: + Rob Wickham (CUF)

🕚 11:00 – Wellbeing Under Pressure: Rev Tim Ling (St Lukes For Clergy Wellbeing)

🕦 11:40 – Understanding the System: What Help Exists?: CofE Church Buildings & Cathedrals Team

🕛 12:15 – "Naming the Reality" - Facilitated small-group discussions

🕧 12:45 – Lunch, Networking & Stalls

🕜 13:45 – Workshop Round 1 (45 mins)

•      🏗 Affordable Housing – The Housing Project Team
•      💼 Social Enterprise & Income Generation – Canon Nick Ralph
•     💰 Funding & Grants – NCI Giving Team?
•     🧭 Delivering a Project (Crossing the Threshold Toolkit Session)

🕝 14:35 – Coffee Break (10 mins)

🕝 14:45 – Workshop Round 2 (Repeat) (45 mins)

🕒 15:30 – Refreshments  (10 mins)

🕞 15:40 – Closing Plenary & Prayer: Lightening the Load

🕓 16:00 – Close