Our working definition of what it means for us to be a ‘well’ is as follows:

1. Aligned with the Vision…

Committed to each part of the vision – “This well exists to see the Kingdom of God increase in the London Borough of Sutton through hospitality, prayer, justice and mission.”

2. Distinctive as a well…

A centred set not a bounded set
ie: It’s about seeing the mission accomplished ahead of seeing an organisation established.  Always asking, ‘How can the mission be furthered in this relationship’? Not, ‘Are you in or out of our group?’ Not a ‘fence’.

Training “diggers” (aka discipleship)
Emphasis on moving people from consumers to contributors. Challenging and helping people to grow in maturity (inc walking with Jesus, getting into employment, moving out of their parents’ house and becoming initiators, taking responsibility etc). Not a ‘tap’.

Small, replicable and multiplying
Each well seeking to train more diggers and begin another ‘healthy’ well as soon as is viable rather than building a large organisation. Non-paid leadership. Not a ‘waterworks’.

3. Operating with Well Values…

Sutton
Our remit is within the London Borough of Sutton. Of course ‘wells’ could exist or be dug outside of the borough but not under us at this point – we exist for the good of Sutton.

Hospitality
At least weekly gathering around a meal in somebody’s home. A value of welcome and hospitality.

Prayer
A bias towards intercessory prayer for the town as our primary/default activity.

Justice
Seeking to make wrong things in the town right in practical ways.

Mission
Seeking to bring people to know Jesus in the town.

4. Weekly gatherings…
We currently meet on Monday evenings in peoples homes, either as one group or as multiple smalls groups.