What is Faith in Action?

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Part of the Derby Diocese
Mission and Ministry Team

Putting church at the heart of community and community at the heart of church.

Jesus said “By their fruits you shall know them” and so Christian mission and witness combines both what we say and what we do. The Church and Christian faith is taken seriously when our actions can be seen as an authentic outworking of our faith.

The Gospel is expressed in practical acts of love meeting the real needs of local communities.

Practical help for both Local Churches and the Derby Diocese offered by FiA includes

  • development of programmes of Community Action and Mission.
  • exploration of Social Justice implications of the Gospel.
  • making the Church’s voice heard at local regional and national levels.
  • being aware of opportunities available to the church in terms of social policy and funding programmes.

Resources for mission available from FiA fall into two main areas

First; enabling mission and ministry in the community, through MMAs, parishes, groups, or individuals. 
Including:

  • planning
  • funding
  • ideas
  • good practice

This work is the particular focus of the Community Action Officers.

Second; the church’s voice needs to be heard in the secular world at local, diocesan and national levels.  FiA has developed and maintains a network of contacts so that the voice of the church at both local and diocesan levels can be heard and so that the church can be kept informed about significant developments which affect local communities.

This is the particular focus of the Church and Society Officer

Other resources for mission available through FiA

  • find: The newsletter from FiA containing a leader article to provoke thought about a relevant issue and news about opportunities and resources for community mission.
    Go to the find page
  • Faith in Action: A Derbyshire Churches Guide to Community Mission. A manual for community mission with everything from the theological rational for community mission (ie why bother?)
    through developing a vision and planning
    to finding the funds and whether or not you need a health and safety policy
    Go to the Faith in Action page
  • Faith in Derbyshire: have you ever wondered what other churches are doing and how much we contribute to the life of the county?  Find out from the Faith in Derbyshire report of research carried out by FiA officers Joy Bates and Stella Collishaw
    Go to the Faith in Derbyshire page
  • Resources Library:Information and resources on a wide range of subjects within the Social Responsibility agenda are available for loan. We also have a portable hearing loop to lend for specific event. Contact the FiA Secretary
  • Training and Support:On various topics including:
    • Community Engagement
    • Social Audit
    • Disability
    • Drug Abuse
    • Adult Survivors of Childhood Abuse
    • Mental Health
  • Funding: Joy Bates is the Church Urban Fund link officer for Derby Diocese and the first port of call for applications for CUF Funding.
    FiA also has two small funds of its own:
    • The Lone Parent Fund
    • The Project Fund
 To find out more contact FiA: Contacts page