Our Aims

The Clergy and Parochial Church Council identified these areas of our church’s life as our priorities. In seeking to develop them we try above all to look to the authority of scripture, the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the power of prayer.

Biblical Teaching

To develop Biblical teaching which encourages and equips us to serve Christ at home, at work and among our friends and neighbours.

This includes such activities as our home groups and other small groups; the youth and children’s work; preaching at midweek and Sunday services; Lent School of Faith; study courses such as the Moore College Course ; God@work for those working in the city centre; student Focus; church houseparty; promoting Bible reading notes; supporting summer ventures for young people.

  • Group to New Word Alive (7-11 April)
  • Morning as well as evening sermons n website
  • Support London Men’s Convention and Bristol Women’s Conference
  • Promote Bible reading notes and recommend Christian books
  • Training for leading small groups and for leaders of children’s groups.

Welcoming and Caring

To grow as a welcoming and caring church with an active concern to know,
pray for and support one another.

This includes the welcomers, stewards and sidespersons; Christian Listeners; TNT (for 20s and 30s) pastoral care for the housebound, sick, lonely and bereaved; the church shop; home groups; Mothers’ Union; baptism, marriage and parenting courses; the Prayer Diary; social events; Age Concern; Thursday lunches; evening service prayer ministry.

  • Servery in South-West corner of church
  • Upgrade children’s corner in church
  • Improve displays and information for visitors/newcomers
  • Develop welcome team and literature
  • Explore holding men’s breakfasts at the Discovery Cafe

Worshipping Together

To join in worshipping together as the people of God in a rich variety of forms.

This includes our Sunday and mid-week services; First Eleven; midday prayers; the musicians; our gatherings for prayer; St Andrew’s Nights; special civic and other services.

  • Encourage links between different congretations
  • Upgrade musical resources (speakers, drumkit) and continue to expand repertoire
  • Hold National Veterans’ Day Service on 27th June.

Evangelism

To pursue relevant and thoughtful evangelism.

This includes special events; parish visiting; guest services; publicity; sports nights and social events for Pathfinders, Fish Shop and their friends; Christianity Explored courses; After-school (JAM) clubs; ministry to tourists and visitors – but above all the contacts, opportunities and friendships that we as a congregation have.

  • Build on ‘Contagious Christian’ course
  • Support Pioneer Discipleship course
  • Hope 08′ events
  • Mission weekend
  • Courses of Noah’s Ark Mums
  • Preparations for Bishop of Exeter’s mission to Deanery (10-14 June 2009)

Community Involvement

To promote practical involvement and service in the community.

This includes our links and activities within the parish and wider community; civic involvement; support for the Shekinah Mission; the availability and diverse involvement of the clergy, e.g. chaplaincies to police, fire service, RNLI, Citadel, ex-services associations, Age Concern, Drake Circus Shopping Centre, Plymouth Albion; chaplaincy at Plymouth College; support for St. Andrew’s C of E School; the Holiday Club; the Soup Run on Tuesdays; the STEP project; and the many areas of city life in which members of our church fellowship are involved.

  • Support for Street Pastors
  • Take forward heritage report
  • Participate in National Heritage Open Day (Sept)
  • Encourage development of Noah’s Ark and Who Let the Dads out?
  • Look at upgrading Abbey Hall facilities
  • Develop links with church school families with invitations to special services
  • Beccy Davies t o be part-time Families Worker

The Wider Church

To work in partnership with the wider church at home and overseas.

This includes our support of mission activity at home and overseas; our involvement in the deanery, diocese, Churches Together in Plymouth and city centre churches; the team ministry with St Paul’s, Stonehouse.

  • Weekly mission partner for Sunday prayers
  • Investigate becoming an ‘eco-congregation’
  • Support Katy with Crosslinks
  • Two summer teams to Malawi
  • Visit of Lambeth Conference bishop
  • United service with local churches on annual basis

Resources

To provide the staff, plant and finance required to implement our priorities.

This includes our finances and stewardship; the upkeep of the Abbey Hall and Prysten House; the work of the church office; the maintenance of the church fabric; the employment of our church staff; the Friends of St Andrew’s (and in particular the shop); policies for health and safety, data protection and child protection.

  • Child protection update on 12th June
  • Install Abbey Hall lift
  • Look for ministry assistants 08-09
  • Repair, relight and redecorate church interior
  • Engage with City Council over church forecourt
  • Strategic use of recent legacies
  • Promote financial giving to the church