Strengthening our life of discipleship, vocation and evangelism
Shaping for Mission is the process across Lichfield Diocese to strengthen our life of discipleship, vocation and evangelism while facing a significant reduction in financial income. We are working together as people of hope to make our mission sustainable in helping fulfil our diocesan vision. Shaping for Mission commenced in autumn 2020 when deaneries formed Shaping for Mission teams and began the work of reviewing their deanery, before discerning a vision for the deanery going forwards.
Where now?
From 2024 to 2030, Lichfield diocese will be guided by a strategic framework with nine aspirations.
Every Christian community and every indivdiual will have something to offer to this vision as it unfolds.
The strategic framework was passed overwhelmingly at the Diocesan Synod of March 2024. It was introduced at the April 2024 Clergy Conference. Hear what our clergy heard that day in this video:
The new strategy can be summarised in the following diagram: 
Where next?
The next steps within the diocese are:
- Continued prayer of discernment and hope, beginning with a novena of prayer from 28 April 2024 to 6 May
- Appointment of a Strategy Programme Director to co-ordinate this work (summer/autumn 2024)
- Communication across the diocese and especially with parishes (second half of 2024)
Get started
Ministers, parishes, chaplaincies, schools and fresh expressions can explore possibilities now. Two ways of doing this are:
- Pioneering Parishes: online sessions to help parishes think about outreach. Try Getting Started, or attend a Pioneering Parishes’ Values Day which helps parishes to find the common values they need in order to work together.
- Stronger Together is a one-day session for parishes to explore where schools fit in with the Church’s mission.