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what we do

COUNSELLOR AND CATALYST
- THE HEART OF OUR WORK.

The phrase "Counsellor and Catalyst" was used some years ago (when we were known as the Church and Community Trust) in a leaflet describing our work. It continues to be an apt summary of our role as we meet with Christian churches of all denominations, throughout the UK, large and small, rural, urban and suburban.

 

"If you are going to build a church you are going to create a thing which speaks. It will speak of meanings, and of values, and it will go on speaking. And if it speaks of the wrong values it will go on destroying. There is a responsibility here."
Robert Maguire from "Meaning and Understanding" in "Towards a Church Architecture" 1962

OUR VALUES

We believe that any major changes in a church should be seen in the wider context of God's mission for the church. We aim to make what may be a difficult journey easier and more likely to reach its destination by :-

  • Exploring God's call together.

  • Being sensitive to the church's own values.

  • Seeing the whole picture.

  • Inspiring and encouraging vision.

  • Putting buildings and spiritual values together.

  • Turning challenges into opportunities.

  • Bringing our wide experience and professionalism to bear.

  • Reconciling conservation and community issues.

  • Offering an independent and open minded approach.

  • Sharing in the process and helping churches to handle change.

OUR METHODS

We offer guidance and information to local churches concerning the more effective use of their resources - people, buildings and money - for worshipping God and serving the community.

  • First by going out to local churches to help them see a way forward, by making more effective use of all their resources. We draw from a wide pool of specialists, and co-operate with other organisations working in parallel situations.

  • Second by providing a service for all those seeking to build, sustain, or enrich church and community life in areas relevant to our overall purpose, by designing, organising, or assisting with courses, conferences, and workshops.

Living Stones aims to facilitate a free flow of existing relevant information. We can direct the questioner toward the appropriate information source or specialist, thus bringing together parish and professional. We welcome questions from parish priests and ministers, church councils, church wardens, and planners, and hope that this website will develop into a valuable resource by contributing to debate on the issues facing both Church and Community.

We believe that any major changes in a church should be seen in the wider context of God's mission for the church. We are convinced that it is vital for a church to have a vision of what God wants it to be and do for him, and in our early meetings with any church we encourage them to focus on this if they are not doing so already.

Although most believers are clear that "church" is the people - the body of Christ - and not the building, the building does say a great deal about the people who use it and look after it. An attractive church, which has been and is being cared for by an active and sensitive worshipping community is a positive sign of God's grace to the world around it. Presenting such a face to the world often requires change. It can be a real adventure of faith.

Allow us to join you on this adventure of faith! Contact us today for more information - fill in the on screen response form, e-mail us info@living-stones.org.uk, or telephone 020 7976 6347.

  • HOW WE WORK
  • CURRENT ACTIVITIES