The Effective Christian Presence and Enterprise (ECPE) project has aimed to identify, learn from, encourage and network sustainable and enterprising forms of Christian ‘presence’ across Yorkshire and the Humber.
The term ‘presence’ was chosen by the 19 project participants to encompass the diversity of their community action - including local churches, social enterprises, Christian charities, community projects, arts-based initiatives and much more.
Our questions included:
- What do ‘success’ and ‘effectiveness’ look like for these presences?
- How effective are these presences?
- What assets do these presences have?
- What are the strategic drivers behind the effectiveness of these presences?
- What barriers do they face and what needs do they have?
- How can we encourage more of this sort of work?
We found that seven factors particularly influenced effectiveness:
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ECPE DEBATE
While encouraged by this research, I'm left wondering how well these presences' have been able to maintain their distinctiveness and Christian identity, in light of competing pressures on their ethos and theology to comply with legislation, doctrines of the denominations they are affiliated to, and expectations and requirements of partner organisations. In short - how have these Christians been able to avoid being 'watered down' in exhibiting their faith by external and internal pressures in order that they are able to deliver the support to the community they have a vision to? How have they addressed and managed these critical tensions that underpin everything they do?
Posted by Adrian Ashton (www.adrianashton.co.uk) on 18/06/2008
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