The Diocese of Canterbury committed to a decade of transformation rooted in the gospel, shaped by deep listening, and focused on sustainable growth.
At the midway point in this journey, the diocese has updated its strategy to set the direction for the next five years while establishing 2026 as a benchmark year against which progress will be measured honestly and prayerfully.
Our strategy (‘to enable the local church to share God’s mission’) is built around Three Bold Outcomes for 2030:
- Double the number of children and young disciples
- 200 new Christian communities
- Every parish, benefice, and deanery showing signs of revitalisation
These outcomes reflect our desire to see a flourishing, confident, outward鈥慺acing Church across our part of Kent. They arose from extensive diocesan consultation, parish鈥憀evel discernment, and a clear theological vision: Changed Lives → Changing Lives.
This revisited strategic plan sets out how the Diocese of Canterbury will deliver these outcomes, combining missional ambition with financial sustainability and local empowerment.
We recognise that the continuing financial landscape provides ongoing pressures. We have many valuable and wonderful resources – primarily our people, but also in our buildings, and things made possible by the generosity of others. It is incumbent upon us to steward what we have, and to seek support elsewhere when we recognise such additional resource will make our Bold Outcomes a reality.
The Bishop of Dover, the Rt Revd Rose Hudson-Wilkin said: "Rooted in the gospel and shaped by deep listening, our strategic plan invites boldness, creativity, and faith, trusting God to transform lives and communities across our diocese."
brings together:
- the long-established diocesan vision of Changed Lives → Changing Lives,
- the Three Bold Outcomes for 2030,
- the learning from Three Things (2025), parish Health & Vitality reviews (2025), and Root Cause Analysis (2025), and
- a renewed commitment to local ownership, sustainable finance, and measurable growth.
The updated strategy was presented to the Diocesan Synod on 1 July 2026.