Release Leaders’ Day was a significant moment for Croydon Vineyard as we gathered leaders from across the church to worship, pray, learn, and prepare for the next season of our life together. Across the day we heard teaching, shared updates, introduced our new site pastors and site pastors in training, and spent time reflecting on what it means to be released into the part Jesus is asking each of us to play.
This page gathers together the main resources from the weekend: teaching, updates, seminar notes, photos, and next steps. Whether you were in the room or are catching up afterwards, we hope these resources help you pray, reflect, and continue to play your part as we move towards becoming three congregations across two sites as one church.
Key takeaways from the day
Jesus is leading us into a new season of mission.
We are preparing to become three congregations across two sites as one church.
Every leader has a part to play; this cannot rest only on staff or site pastors.
We want to move with faith, wisdom, transparency, honesty, and care.
The next season will require prayer, commitment, patience, courage, and trust.
Senior Pastors’ Leadership Update
At Leaders’ Day 2026, Tom & Lesley shared a leadership update on Croydon Vineyard’s next season as the church continues moving towards becoming three congregations across two sites as one church.
The update began with thanks to the Strategic Leadership Team and Trustees for the time, prayer, wisdom, and effort they have given behind the scenes throughout the 3-2-1 season. Their leadership, discernment, and practical support have been a significant part of helping the church prepare for what lies ahead.
Several key leadership updates were then shared.
The South Site will be led by Alex and Lara Lyne, with Lara continuing her brilliant work as Youth Pastor.
At the Central Site, Gaby and Adam Ledger are stepping into training as Site Pastors. Adam will serve voluntarily, while Gaby will serve part-time alongside completing the Vineyard College year.
As the church prepares for life at No. 3 Old Palace Road, Dilia Goncalves will be joining the team as Facilities and Operations Manager, starting in August. This will be an important role as Croydon Vineyard takes on a larger and more complex building and seeks to steward it well for worship, ministry, community, and mission.
Tom then spoke about the heart of the journey ahead. The move towards three congregations across two sites is not simply about buildings, services, or structures. It is about making room for more people to encounter Jesus, belong in community, grow as disciples, and play their part in the mission of God. A key theme was Jesus’ call to pray for workers to be sent into the harvest. This next season will not be carried by staff, site pastors, or trustees alone. It will require many people across the church asking, “What part is Jesus asking me to play?”
For some, that will mean serving on a team. For others, it will mean building hospitality, investing in children and young people, welcoming newcomers, praying, giving, helping others grow, or committing deeply to the life of a congregation.
The update also underlined the importance of commitment. Congregations are not built by people simply testing things out indefinitely, but by people choosing to pray, serve, commit, and build together. As clarity grows, leaders across the church are being encouraged to prayerfully consider where they are called to commit for the next season - whether to South Site, Central Site, a particular team, or a particular area of mission.
The coming year will require faith, wisdom, patience, courage, and unity. Above all, the invitation is to keep following Jesus together, trusting that the one who has called the church into this next season will also provide what is needed. Please continue to pray for the site pastors, staff team, trustees, ministry leaders, and everyone preparing for this next season. Pray for wisdom, favour, unity, courage, and for the right workers to be sent into the right places.
Session 1 – Jamie Parnell
Teaching from Jamie Parnell, Senior Pastor of Enfield Vineyard, helping us lift our eyes to the mission of Jesus and the call to be released as workers in his harvest.
Site Pastors Panel
Meet Alex & Lara Lyne and Gaby & Adam Ledger as they share their stories, hopes, and sense of calling for the next season of Croydon Vineyard.
Friday Night – Meals for 6
A glimpse of the Friday evening gatherings that helped us begin the weekend around tables, food, conversation, and community.
Seminars Downloads
Download notes from Lesley’s Healthy Habits for Hard Seasons and Andy’s Conversations That Catalyse. These are practical resources for healthy, Jesus-shaped leadership.
Notes - Healthy Habits for Hard Seasons
Notes - Conversations that Catalyse
Photos
A few moments from across the weekend: worship, food, teaching, prayer, and time together as leaders.
