In the last few years, the UK has witnessed churches leading a renewal of community-based responses to social need. With the reduction of local budgets, churches have rallied to provide services for those most affected by poverty. Many offer this help through night-shelters, food banks, debt advice and drop-in services that often provide immediate relief to those in crisis.

In the Fullness of Life Together report, CUF and Livability reflect on the way in which churches engage with their communities. We explore the limitations of a service delivery approach and look at alternative models. In naming Asset-Based Community Development and Co-production models, we looked to explore how an approach where ‘helping neighbours share gifts’ might lead to transformation for the individual and the community. With increasing downward pressure on churches, is such an approach too idealistic, or can it bring something new to a discussion of what makes a community of genuine partnerships?

This event is for Church Leaders, Community Workers, Youth Workers, Volunteers, all those local and involved. It aims to explore the questions the report raises from a practitioner perspective and to generate conversation about the possibilities for Christian community engagement. The day will include a brief summary of the themes of the report and presentation of a subsequent theological reflection paper followed by two practitioner responses. Time will be given to facilitated conversation and response.

If you would like to join for an open discussion about our approach to community engagement and the theological convictions that underpin them, please let us know by registering your place, for FREE.

Time & Date:

10.30pm-2.30pm (which will include sandwich lunch) on Thursday 21st April 2016.

(Please, let us know of any dietary requirements when registering. Thank you!).

Location:

Leeds Church Institute (LCI), 20 New Market Street, Leeds. LS1 6DG

For more information, please contact Bernadette Ocampo-Wall on joinin@livability.org.uk or 020 7452 2029.