Items filtered by date: May 2025
You may find the following extra resources helpful during this stage:
- Prayer and Worship Resources
Some ideas and models to help keep prayer and worship at the centre of the MAP for Derby Diocese process. - Front Page News
A creative way to get people thinking about where God is calling the Church to.
For further help or information on any aspect of using MAP for Derby Diocese, please contact:
Jason Kennedy Diocesan Missioner
e jason.kennedy@derby.anglican.org
t 07539 483733
Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR
This stage is designed to help the church to reflect on their journey toward God’s calling so far. There are three key questions for the church to engage with in this stage.
As with any journey, we need to know from where we are starting before we can understand the journey. Honesty is essential in answering these questions. If people are unable to accurately assess where they are before God, it is likely to give a false view of reality, leading to poor discernment in the later stages.
The church will need to reflect together and offer realistic opinions, backed up by good evidence, with everyone having an equal voice. It is especially important to avoid:
- destructive blame or judgement on the church or any specific ministry, group or individual
- the sense that some views may be ignored, or others treated with undue importance
These are the questions that the church will engage with in this stage.
What is our history?
In general, the MAP process looks at the current situation and future calling. This question allows the church to examine what has happened leading up to the current situation; in the church, in the wider community and in the relationship between the two.
Some churches may feel that they do not need to spend a great deal of time considering this question. For example, if a great deal of work has been done on it previously, the church may wish to just spend a little time updating their understanding from the last time they addressed the question. However, for most churches, the question is extremely helpful and is sometimes vital.
There are three specific ways in which engaging with this question can bear fruit:
- To celebrate the success of what God has done in and through the church in the past, helping to encourage the church and build faith for the challenges of the future.
- To give space for the church to understand and deal with any past events, relationships or culture that may impact on its current mission and ministry, seeking repentance, restoration and reconciliation where appropriate.
- To understand the culture of the wider community that may impact on how mission is engaged with in that community. History will often have a profound effect on the attitudes and behaviours of a local community toward the church or other groups.
A good indication that the church has addressed this question is that the church have understood and accepted (and if appropriate dealt with) its own history and the history of its communities, and how they might influence one another.
To where has God brought us?
This question helps the church to reflect upon where God has already worked in and through them to establish His call and character, and where that work is yet to be done.
This is primarily done through the MAP Church Health Check tool. This tool provides the materials to help the church engage with the MAP Characteristics, prayerfully reflecting on where the church is, and isn’t, demonstrating those characteristics.
The tool uses surveys that can be used across the whole worshipping community of the church, asking people (using some specific areas of evidence) to what extent the church is already displaying each characteristic. For more information, see the MAP Church Health Check resource.
You can download the materials here:
- A5 Introductory Leaflet to the MAP Church Health Check
- Church Health Check Leader's Guide
- Church Health Check Survey (Short)
- Church Health Check Survey (Full)
- Church Health Check Leaders' Survey
In addition to the Church Health Check, the church may wish to make use of existing information and data from other sources, such as financial information or statistics for mission returns. They may wish to carry out further research to build up a fuller picture.
A good indication that the church have addressed this question is that the church have fully engaged with the MAP Church Health Check with clarity, openness and honesty and have used all other reasonable means to obtain a full picture of their current character and situation.
With whom do we share our life and what do they say about us?
If the church listens only to those inside the worshipping community and structures of the church, they will only get half the story. Those outside the worshipping community may have a very different view of the church than those inside it and, although it can be painful, it is important to hear their views. God will often speak to His Church through those on the outside.
The first part of answering this question is to discover with whom the church currently shares its life, and how. The church will need to explore the connections it already has with those outside – both intentional connections and connections that exist simply because the church is there.
Engaging in conversation and building relationships is the best way to hear honest and balanced views. This might mean establishing relationships where there was previously little contact, and using imaginative ways to engage people. This information will also be used in stage 4.
A good indication that the church has addressed this question is that the church have confidence in their understanding of what a broad range of individuals and groups believe about the church and its activities.
You may find the following extra resources helpful during this stage:
- Prayer and Worship Resources
Some ideas and models to help keep prayer and worship at the centre of the MAP for Derby Diocese process. - Discerning the Angel of the Church
A creative, imaginative way of helping people describe the character of the church. - Discerning the Angel of the Community
A creative, imaginitive way of engaging with the community and discovering what they think about their own community and the church. - Community Audit Ideas
Plenty of ideas about how to engage with the community and understand more about the people and organisations within it. - Community Listening Exercise
A resource to help you listen to the church's community. - History Audit
How to discover more of the histories of the church and the community, and the wisdom we can discern from their patterns. - Measuring Church Growth and Health
A resource to help church and deanery leadership teams consider how and why we measure the health of churches. - Stakeholder Interviews
How to discover and talk to the key people within your community.
For further help or information on any aspect of using MAP for Derby Diocese, please contact:
Jason Kennedy Diocesan Missioner
e jason.kennedy@derby.anglican.org
t 07539 483733
Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby DE1 3DR
This section gives an overview of MAP for Derby Diocese - the core principles and elements that go to make it up.
If you are thinking of using MAP for Derby Diocese, you will need to download the following resources that give more details and information that are required to use MAP for Derby Diocese well. The Introductory leafet can be used in congregations and PCCs, and gives a single-page summary of the process.
You can download a separate resource that gives more information about the about the Core Principles:
In brief, here are the three core principles of MAP for Derby Diocese.
Principle one: leader commitment
Our experience with MAP shows that the commitment of the church leadership is crucial to the effectiveness of its use. We find this time and time again in churches; the visible, ongoing commitment of the church leadership is vital for the success of its mission and ministry.
Therefore, it is equally vital that the leadership of any church shows a visible, consistent, real and ongoing commitment to the use of MAP for Derby Diocese in the church, if they choose to use it.
Principle two: prayerfulness
MAP for Derby Diocese is concerned with God's Church and His call to it. We recognise that, without God's wisdom and resources, our response to that call will always fail.
For MAP for Derby Diocese to bear fruit in any context, it must always be surrounded by prayer.
Principle three: integration
MAP for Derby Diocese works best when it is integral to every part of the church's life. That means that every aspect of the mission and ministry of the church is included in the MAP process.
Integration means that, as far as possible, everyone in the church needs to be involved at each stage. This ensures everyone feels included and the voices of a wider range of people are heard.
In brief, here are the three core elements of MAP for Derby Diocese.
Element one: the stages
You can see an overview of the stages of MAP for Derby Diocese in the leader's guide and introductory leaflet, downloaded from the top of this page.
Sometimes there is a temptation, when using a process like MAP for Derby Diocese, to skip over some parts of that process if the church believes that they are too difficult, unnecessary or needlessly time consuming.
To get the best out of MAP for Derby Diocese, it is essential that the church completes each stage carefully and in the right order.
The stages of MAP for Derby Diocese are:
- Explore the purpose and character of the church God is calling you to be
- Reflect in your journey toward God's calling so far
- Discern the areas in which God is now calling you to grow and change to meet His call
- Prepare how you will make the changes God requires of you
- Journey toward making the changes God requires of you
Each Stage contains a simple set of questions that help the church engage with the issues that are important for that stage.
Element two: the characteristics
You can download a separate resource that gives more information about the about the MAP for Derby Diocese characteristics, including theological reflections and questions to help churches, groups and individuals reflect on them:
The MAP for Derby Diocese process is designed to help the church become the healthy, flourising church that God intends them to be. The process isn't focussed on doing more things, but rather being God's church.
To do that, we need to understand what that church looks like. In other words, we need to understand its characteristics.
MAP for Derby Diocese is therefore based around a set of eight characteristics of God's church. Those characteristics are:
- Christ-centred in life and worship
- focused on God's mission and purpose
- loving, servant-hearted and generous
- welcoming, open and inclusive
- willing to adapt for God's purposes
- encouraging in Christian vocation and service
- Christ-like in leadership
- valuing children, young people and families
The characteristics have been carefully developed, starting from the work of several different research projects and bringing them to Scripture to ensure that they represent a complete picture of the church God calls us to be.
Element three: the church health check
If you would like to use the MAP for Derby Diocese Church Health Check in your church, you can download all the resources here:
- A5 Introductory Leaflet to the MAP Church Health Check
- Church Health Check Leader's Guide
- Church Health Check General Survey (Short)
- Church Health Check General Survey (Full)
- Church Health Check Leaders' Survey
The MAP for Derby Diocese Church Health Check is the only essential tool in the MAP for Derby Diocese process. It works alongside the characteristics and is threaded through the first four stages of the process, as follows:
- Explore the character of the church od is calling them to be by explaining each of the characteristics in a theological reflection.
- Reflect on the church's journey toward God's calling so far by helping them to examine honestly the evidence we should expect to see in churches exhibiting His desired character.
- Discern the areas in which God is now calling them to grow and change to meet His call by helping the church to see in which characteristic(s) the church most needs to develop.
- Prepare how they will make the changes God requires of them by showing in which areas of each characteristic the church will specifically need to develop and grow.
SUPPORT SERVICE CONTACTS
Safe Spaces – 0300 303 1056 www.safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk
Safe Spaces is a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal, and safe space for anyone who has been abused by someone in the Church or as a result of their relationship with the Church of England, the Catholic Church in England and Wales or the Church in Wales. If you have been affected, however long ago, Safe Spaces can provide you with support. You do not have to have told the Police or church authorities, and you do not have to still be involved with the church. Your information will not be shared without your consent unless you or someone else is in immediate danger.
Childline (0800 1111) www.childline.org.uk
Childline gives advice and support to children who need advice and support, to whom they can share issues and problems and find a listening ear.
Derbyshire Mental Health helpline (0800 028 0077)
24 hours a day service offering support and a listening ear.
Galop (0800 999 5428) Galop - the LGBT+ anti-abuse charity
Galop is the UK’s LGBT+ anti abuse charity. They work with and for LGBT+ victims and survivors of interpersonal abuse and violence.
MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors – 08088 01 03 40) https://macsas.org.uk
MACSAS supports women and men who have been sexually abused, as children or adults, by ministers, clergy, or others in the guise of the Church. Telephone and email support for survivors and their families.
Mankind (01823 334244) www.mankind.org.uk
Support for male survivors of domestic abuse, they provide an information, support and signposting service to men suffering from domestic abuse from their current or former wife, partner (including same-sex partner) or husband. This can range from physical violence or object throwing to abuse such as constant bullying or insults.
Mind (0300 123 3393) www.mind.org.uk
Offer support for mental health problems, signpost to local support, raise awareness of treatment options and offer an advocacy service.
NAPAC (08088 0103 31) https://napac.org.uk
National Association for People Abused in Childhood (NAPAC) An organisation supporting adult survivors of any form of child abuse.
Rape Crisis (08088 02 99 99) www.rapecrisis.org.uk
Rape Crisis is a national organisation with local contacts and groups, offering support and counselling for those affected by rape and sexual abuse.
Refuge (0808 2000247) Refuge – For women and children. Against domestic abuse.
Supporting women and children experiencing domestic abuse offering place of safety, advice and support.
Samaritans (Derby and District - 0330 09 5717) https://www.samaritans.org
Offer a phone, email 1:1 and a self-help app to support individuals who are feeling suicidal and desperate.
Stop it now (0808 1000 900) Stop It Now! UK and Ireland | Preventing child sexual abuse
Confidential help and support, via a helpline, live chat or secure email support
Survivors Voices Survivors Voices
Offer peers support and private support groups on facebook
SV2 (01773 746 115) SV2 - Supporting Victims of Sexual Violence - Home
A local 24 Hour service supporting victims of sexual violence in Derbyshire, advice, counselling and therapy available after assessment.
The Survivors Trust (08088 01 08 18) helpline@thesurvivorstrust.org
The Survivors Trust is the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK and has been providing infrastructure support to our members for the past 20 years. We have 120 member agencies based in the UK and Ireland providing information, advice, support and therapy to over 80,000 individual survivors each year. Our services work with victims and survivors of all ages, all genders, of all forms of sexual violence, sexual abuse and sexual exploitation, including support for partners and family members. The Survivors Trust and its members are committed to the fair treatment of people regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age or physical/learning disability.
Victim support (0808 16 89 111) www.victimsupport.org.uk
Offering those effected by any crime support and advise.
LOCAL SOCIAL CARE CONTACTS:
Derby City Social Care
Childrens 01332 641172
Adults 01332 642855
Out of Hours 01332 956606
Derbyshire (Adults and Children)
Call Derbyshire 01629 533190
Out of Hours 01629 532600
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) undertook an audit of the Diocesan Safeguarding arrangements in June 2017.
The report concluded that the safeguarding team is well-resourced and well-established with experienced staff with a good skill mix, who provide sound safeguarding advice and judgments.
They were particularly impressed with the level of decision making regarding case work, and complimented the Diocese on its own self-evaluation, which highlighted realistic areas of development.
The auditors felt the Diocese was committed to learning, and were impressed that a review commissioned by the Bishop had led to the expansion of the safeguarding team, which included a new Chair of the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Committee, who in addition to a number of other roles was the Head of Public Protection for Derby Constabulary.
The world of safeguarding nationally has been experiencing a period of important and sometimes rapid change and the Diocese of Derby along with the Church of England is determined to offer a secure environment in which everyone can thrive, and which earns the confidence of all who are entrusted to its care.
The report states that the Head of HR is supportive, considered and committed and understands the importance of safeguarding. The auditors found that safeguarding operates within a clear line management structure, and a well-functioning Diocesan Office.
The auditors noted that there are strong links between the Diocese and Derby Cathedral. The DSA and safeguarding team provides training for the Cathedral, and a member of Chapter responsible for safeguarding is also a member of the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Team.
Some areas were highlighted for further development by the Diocese.
There remains a backlog in the numbers of people who require training and although there is a plan in place it will need close monitoring by the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Committee.
Since the audit took place, a new part-time Safeguarding Training Officer has been appointed to deal with the training backlog.
The report also highlighted that work was required to develop the overall functioning of the team so that everyone gets an appropriately prompt level of service. Again, since this audit took place, a part-time Safeguarding Administrator has been recruited to deal with general administrative queries.
The Social Care Institute for Excellence (SCIE) has been commissioned to undertake an audit of the safeguarding arrangements of each Diocese of the Church of England. The aim of these audits is to work together to understand how safeguarding is working in each Diocese, and to support the continuing improvements being made.
The audit process in each Diocese involved examination of safeguarding leadership arrangements, local policies and practice guidance, the quality of case work, recruitment and training.
The auditors also looked at the progress being made in reaching nationally agreed standards, informed by central House of Bishops’ approved policies.
An action plan has been produced and agreed by the Diocesan Safeguarding Management Committee to address findings and considerations of the report.
To read the full safeguarding audit for the Diocese of Derby, click here.
To view the Action Plan for the Diocese of Derby, developed in 2017, click here.
