By John Cole

Of course, the real life of most local churches is much more complex than is suggested by the five bands of renewal.

Different individuals and groups of people associated with the church do not seem to move forward on the path of renewal at the same rate as others.

At any given time, inside the church and in the locality, people will have expectations of the local church based on attitudes which mirror most of these five bands. Somehow they all need to be satisfied - or moved forward - at the same time!

All these people, near and far, are ‘stake-holders’ in the local church - whether they only want it a few times in a lifetime for weddings or funerals, or whether they are mostly concerned that your building is a fine example of a certain period of architecture, or whether they worship every Sunday.

A mapping exercise similar to the one for ‘My personal world’ will help you identify your stake-holders. When you know who they are, you will be half-way to knowing how to deal with them - lovingly and creatively, of course!