Vision Statement.
Grounded in the call to see lives changed, churches filled, and society transformed, our vision details the identity and strategic priorities that shape St Wilfrid’s. Explore below how our gathering, social transformation, and family strategies work together to bring the Gospel and lasting hope to Bognor Regis.
St Wilfrid’s vision expands upon the framework of lives changed, churches filled, society transformed to detail our identity, missional priorities, and core operational values:
Lives Changed:
The core mandate and primary focus of all activity is the proclamation of the Gospel and leading people to personal faith in Jesus Christ, using social initiatives as signposts toward faith. Discipleship involves persistently sharing the Gospel alongside preaching aimed at maturing believers. The Alpha Pathway serves as a primary growth route, supported by social action, family programmes, and courses. Midweek Connect Groups provide the primary vehicle for pastoral care and discipleship, underpinned by a charismatic evangelical identity and total dependence on structured prayer. Facilities, seating, and worship environments are designed to support vibrant, spirit-filled worship.
Churches Filled:
Focuses on active congregational engagement rather than static numerical growth. Radical hospitality creates a culture of warmth that allows guests to move naturally from visiting to belonging. Dedicated support structures, including post-Alpha groups, ground new believers in their faith while leadership development transitions members into active contributors. The church maintains a strong commitment to working alongside local ecumenical partners and Anglican churches, as well as supporting potential future church plants across the wider deanery.
Society Transformed:
All community outreach projects operate under the Hope for Bognor unifying banner. Key efforts include partnering with the Bognor Regis Food Bank and Lighthouse to address emergency food needs and local isolation, embedding Christians Against Poverty (CAP) operations directly within the church, developing drop-in cafés and warm spaces, and mobilising resources through grant funding.
The Gathering Strategy.
“The Gathering” is rooted in a charismatic evangelical expectation of encountering Jesus, where vibrant worship, strong biblical teaching, and active prayer ministry build toward Holy Spirit power and personal application. It serves as an accessible, primary “front door” for worshipers and newcomers, with plans to replicate this dynamic worship model across partner churches.
Congregational growth rests on four key pillars: tracking health through numerical growth, deepening spiritual discipleship, expanding demographic and structural diversity across age and ethnicity, and strengthening relational connections by expanding group participation and newcomer retention. As worshiping communities grow, pastoral care structures adapt to empower team leaders, keeping smaller groups agile and focused on multiplication.
Social Transformation Strategy.
Operating under the Hope for Bognor framework, this 5-year strategy aligns with local community efforts to shift from reactive crisis support toward sustainable, resilient community development. The primary focus is actively tackling and ending poverty, social isolation, and local inequality across Bognor Regis.
Key delivery initiatives include:
· Community Power Programme: Participating in the Trussell Trust Community Power Programme to lead community advocacy and bring local partners together.
· Lighthouse Development: Conducting strategic development reviews for the Lighthouse initiative to expand long-term community outreach.
· CAP Debt Centre: Bringing the Christians Against Poverty (CAP) Debt Centre under direct church employment oversight.
· Food Bank Joint Projects: Integrating physical spaces with the Food Bank to provide drop-in cafés, warm spaces, and digital inclusion projects.
Children, Youth and Family Strategy.
This blueprint focuses on mobilising ministry to serve young people and families across the wider community:
· Sunday Experience: Transforming Sunday services to ensure they are engaging and welcoming for children and families.
· Family Belonging & Support: Preventing isolation among families through dedicated group models, such as family connect groups.
· Primary School & Family Engagement: Utilising local schools as outreach hubs to build relationships with local families.
· Church-Based Family Communities: Strengthening relational outreach through toddler groups, open family events, and accessible community spaces.
· Youth Ministry Collaboration: Building ecumenical partnerships with local youth leaders and churches to develop youth ministry.
· Parenting & Family Support: Offering accessible parenting and relationship courses to equip parents as primary disciplers in the home.