Vision of Livingston Ecumenical Parish

We believe that the most fundamental aspect of our life as members of the church as the Body of Christ, is to live by the commandment of Jesus: to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and to love our neighbours as we love ourselves. (Matthew 22:37-39). This love of God and neighbour is lived out in our purpose, function and life as Livingston Ecumenical Parish as we share in God’s mission through our work in the ten Mission Groups of our Mission Plan.

Through our life and ministry we believe we are called to:

  • continue to provide ecumenical Christian worship for the peoples of Livingston and its surrounds
  • strengthen our Christian faith through increased knowledge of God, and understanding of God’s work and purpose in the world learned through participation in worship, fellowship, small groups, taught courses and other church activities.
  • develop meaningful Christian Education programmes for the children and youth of LEP and to deeply engage with young people throughout the town which will encourage and nurture a fuller understanding of God and the faith and love of the Church.
  • carry out God's ministry of love and pastoral caring to all within the embrace of the town of Livingston, both to the members of LEP and to the wider community and extending in even wider outreach in our world where all can benefit from Christian love and support.
  • act as disciples of Christ and to follow the Christian teachings of the church in the giving of ourselves, our gifts and talents and our possessions and money.
  • establish a living presence of the church in Livingston whereby we work with other partners to offer practical assistance and support to people in need and to encourage associations with the wider church in its mission to the world
  • oversee the practical elements of the life of LEP in its care for its property and the godly stewardship of all its resources
  • facilitate change and growth within LEP by monitoring our Mission Plan

LIVINGSTON ECUMENICAL PARISH COUNCIL DEVELOPMENT PLAN :2006 – 2009

Aim:

To provide a firm foundation on which parish growth can take place.

Background:

In the middle of the 40th anniversary of Livingston Ecumenical Parish in May 2006, it is tempting to reflect only on the positive growth that has taken place during that time. Important as this is in shaping the Church in Livingston as it is today, it is just as important to look forward and plan how to advance God‟s work in our community.

Factors relevant to the formulation and execution of future strategy include: decline in membership and increase in the average age of the congregations (not unique to Livingston); the increase in physical size of Livingston, population growth and the number of houses within the Ecumenical Parish; the reduction in the number of ministers from 6 in the 1980‟s to 3 full time ministers and a part time Parish Assistant in 2005; and the need to operate within available financial resources.

In 2003 an attempt to meet the challenges posed by the above resulted in the division of the Ecumenical Parish into 3 Mission Areas, geographically covering the North, Central and South areas of Livingston. Future strategy must recognise the wide range of differences within these Mission Areas in terms of age, socio-economic status, employment, housing density and community facilities.

Two further factors spearheaded the production of a draft Mission Plan in May 2005: the arrival of a virtually new Ministerial Team in the latter part of 2004 bringing with it new ideas, talents and energies and the proposed replacement through ACTS of the Livingston Sponsors‟ Council with an Area Advisory Council as part of the new National Sponsoring Body for local ecumenical partnerships and the subsequent need to “normalise” Livingston Ecumenical Parish, especially in terms of becoming financially self-supporting.