Neighborhood organising

We use community organising methodology, within a faith based approach to support and develop our church members in their faith, our church buildings for long term sustainability. This is the mission of St Barnabas and St James to support church members and the wider community.

Organising for Growth at St Barnabas, Walthamstow
How Organising for Growth has strengthened our parish life, leadership, and presence in the
community.

OUR APPROACH: PEOPLE BEFORE PROGRAMME, SHAPED BY THE FIVE MARKS
OF MISSION

At St Barnabas, our journey with Organising for Growth began when the Centre for Theology and Community (CTC) introduced us to community organising as a way of growing the church. This approach starts with a simple conviction: Mission begins with people, not programmes.
Rather than beginning with activities or structures, community organising invites us to begin with listening — to God, to one another, and to our neighbours.

This aligns deeply with the Five Marks of Mission, which call the Church to:
1. Tell – proclaim the Good News
2. Teach – nurture discipleship
3. Tend – respond to human need in love
4. Transform – challenge injustice
5. Treasure – care for creation and community

Organising for Growth has given us a practical, relational framework to live these marks more deeply.

1. Who We Are
St Barnabas and St James the Greater is a Church of England parish rooted in welcome, worship and community life. Our Grade II* church building and two community halls host worship, children’s activities, martial arts, community support, creative groups and civic gatherings.

Our mission:
To grow disciples, develop local leaders, and serve our neighbourhood through faith-rooted community organising.

Links:
https://stbartswalthamstow.org/halls
https://historicengland.org.uk/listing

2. What Is Organising for Growth?
Organising for Growth is a church-focused expression of community organising, introduced to St Barnabas through our partnership with the Centre for Theology & Community (CTC).

The programme strengthens parish mission by combining:
● relational community organising
● intentional discipleship
● local leadership development
● place-based listening and action

Through this approach, St Barnabas has deepened its culture of listening, strengthened pathways into leadership, and integrated parish life with neighbourhood relationships.

SHORT FILMS ILLUSTRATING THIS APPROACH

People of Power — community-rooted leadership

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYv48-0IqXsn

Growing Your Church — social action, discipleship; growth
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rKSW-Kmf-g

These films reflect the values shaping our work: listening, empowering people, nurturing gifts, and integrating community action with faith.
CTC links:

https://www.ctcuk.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/2024-Organising-for-Growth.pdf

https://www.theology-centre.org/organising-for-growth

https://www.theology-centre.org/resources

THE FIVE MARKS OF MISSION

TELL — Proclaim the Gospel through welcome, worship and witness.
TEACH — Nurture discipleship and develop leaders.
TEND — Respond to human need with loving service.
TRANSFORM — Challenge injustice and stand with neighbours.
TREASURE — Care for creation and strengthen community well-being.

3. What Has Changed at St Barnabas Through Organising for Growth “People Before Programme” — Rooted in Community Organising and the Five Marks of Mission

CTC’s introduction of community organising invited us to adopt the principle: People before programme. Instead of expanding activities, we began with listening. This relational starting point has shaped all that has followed — and aligns directly with the Five Marks of Mission.

A. A New Culture of Leadership & Discipleship

Guided by community organising practices and the support of Organising for Growth, we have been able to:
● recognise gifts and leadership potential
● build pathways into service and worship
● increase confidence in sharing faith
● nurture vocation and discipleship
● embed listening at the centre of parish life
● strengthen participation in civic and sanctuary work

This marks a shift from activity-led ministry to relationship-led mission.

B. Stories of St Barnabas — Honouring Our Elders
Our first organising step was a parish-wide listening project with long-standing members.
Their stories of migration, faith, and resilience now shape:
● welcome
● preaching
● pastoral care
● parish identity
● justice and sanctuary work

Link:
https://www.theology-centre.org/resources/storytelling

4. Community Anchor Spaces Strengthened Through Organising for Growth

Stafford Hall — Warm Space and; Community Living Room
Community organising teaches the value of “porous spaces” — places where parish life and
neighbourhood life overlap naturally. Stafford Hall has become one of these spaces.

Throughout the week, neighbours can access:
● warmth and rest
● free hot drinks
● food-sharing
● creative and social activities
● digital support
● pastoral listening and signposting

Recognised on BBC News
https://www.facebook.com/walthamforestcouncil/posts/688528750058997/
Additional links:
https://www.walthamforest.gov.uk/cost-living-support/warm-spaces
https://www.warmwelcome.uk

5. Developing Local Leaders
Organising for Growth has enabled lay members to step into new forms of leadership, including:
● hosting and coordinating the warm-space
● small-group and ministry leadership
● pastoral listening
● leading worship
● representing the parish in civic and interfaith meetings
● participating in local organising on housing and sanctuary

Leadership at St Barnabas is now shared, relational and rooted in everyday discipleship.

Links:
https://www.citizensuk.org/training
https://wfbos.org

6. MEDIA & PRESS