Tim Hurren

Tim Hurren, assistant vicar at St Peter's Harrogate explains how the Growing Leaders course is impacting both the church and the wider community.

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'We finished running our first Growing Leaders course this summer, and we're already beginning to see the fruits! We really wanted those who were involved in leadership at St Peter's to move from simply "doing things", to having a much deeper understanding of what Christian leadership is all about, and how it applies to both the church and the community context.

'As a growing church in central Harrogate, St Peter's has an enormous range of opportunities for service and proclamation, and Growing Leaders is a fantastic way to equip people to do what God is calling them to. One participant took over a fundraising position in the church, and had a vision to make the role much more about developing fellowship - now it's not just church people who are involved.

'Another is now leading a review of our youth and children's ministry, another said the course has changed the way he views his work as a structural engineer, and someone else is now considering ordination!

'The church is currently undergoing a major physical building development, and we were very keen to develop the living stones, as well as the literal ones! We wanted a whole pool of Christian leaders who are ready to lead when opportunities emerge, and they hear God's call.

'The course has really given people new confidence, and helped them to move ahead in lots of ways. We're now running a second course, and there's a lot of enthusiasm about it, across a wide age range.'

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