The Diocese of Lichfield expects that a new report due to be published in the New Year will reveal that the diocese has experienced its third consecutive year of growth.
As the diocese awaits the results of the report, it will also push ahead with the expansion of 'Going for Growth', a growth strategy first launched in 2004 which has proved highly successful in bringing more and more people to churches across the diocese.
The Archdeacon of Walsall, the Ven Bob Jackson, is one of three growth officers appointed by the Bishop under the growth strategy. He said the results were very encouraging: "This turnaround is evidence of the great creativity of churches across the diocese - growth is happening where parishes have planted fresh expressions of church to attract new groups in the community, and where churches have created new opportunities for worship midweek to cater for the increasing number who can't make Sundays."
Local parishes are expected to develop Mission Action Plans under the strategy which they will review each year to check progress and set fresh targets for the coming year.
A Bishop's Growth Fund was established previously to support mission and outreach work in parishes and has already raised some £700,000 worth of grants.
The grants have enabled parishes and deaneries to take on 41 new staff, most of whom will be working with youth or children - a high priority area within the strategy.
"To balance our churches and to enable them to serve their communities with the Gospel they should have a similar age profile to the wider population. For most of us that will mean providing a fresh welcome for children and young people, and building fresh relationships with schools and colleges."
