The Archbishop of York, The Most Rev. and Rt Hon. Stephen Cottrell, has praised the innovative discipleship app from The Church of England in Lancashire in a new video released today to mark a key milestone.

The video comes as ‘Fruitful’ – the name for the app – has now been downloaded 2000 times in the one month since it was launched in early February.

Fruitful is available to download from the App Store and Google Play (also use the QR code above) and provides support to people of all backgrounds and ages in our Diocese to grow in confidence in their faith. It’s thought to be the first app focusing specifically on discipleship anywhere in The Church of England.

Archbishop Stephen has downloaded it to his own phone and is enthusiastic about the innovative move by the Diocese and what it can offer to people in Lancashire and beyond.

In his short video message, issued today, the Archbishop says: “Like the very best ideas, when you come across them you think ‘why didn’t I think of that myself’?

“Well, not for the first time, the Diocese of Blackburn is ahead of the game and has produced this discipleship app called ‘Fruitful’.

“You can use it even if you are not part of the Diocese so a big thanks to them for coming up with this innovation which I’m sure will help me and many other people to ‘sharpen the pencil’ of our discipleship.”

Once downloaded the new app is then available 24/7 for people to read the Bible; be inspired in prayer and encouraged to respond in worship in a variety of ways.

Publicity and support for the app continues apace with regular promotion across the Diocese through our ebulletins, including ‘Parish Update’ issued every two weeks to more than 2000 recipients.

Meanwhile, in this YouTube video, the Bishop of Blackburn, Rt Rev. Philip North and Rev. Damian Platt, Vicar of Christ Church Thornton both talk to our new Director of Ministry, Rev. Canon Anne Beverley, about what is available on ‘Fruitful’ and how the app can be accessed and used. Damian is also part of the Diocesan ‘Making Disciples Team’ which has been instrumental in development of the app.

The three also feature in a fun Tik Tok video on our Board of Education youth Tik Tok channel; which has also been uploaded to the Diocesan Twitter/X and Facebook channels.

Fruitful supports the main aims of our collective work for our Diocesan ‘Vision 2026 Healthy Churches Transforming Communities’ by helping people to …

• Know the scriptures better and be equipped to be confident Christian disciples
• Pray with greater depth and urgency for the Kingdom of God to come
• Offer worship in spirit and truth through the ministry of Word and Sacrament*

*The app is limited to offering worship though the ministry of the word only via viewing online services.

One of the key pieces of content currently available on the app is a five week video-based Lent Course ‘Journey to Freedom’ led by Bishop Philip.  

The Lent Course is also being promoted widely on other channels – including this Tik Tok video from Bishop Philip and in this Lent Course preview video on YouTube.

As well as being on the app, the Bishop’s Lent Course is also available in full (all five parts) here on the Diocesan YouTube channel.

In addition the app currently features

• 2024 Lent Daily Devotions (watch, read or listen to this year’s Lent Devotionals based on this year’s Lent Devotional booklet for the Diocese)
• Events and retreats; at Whalley Abbey, Blackburn Cathedral and more
• A lectionary (Bible passages)
• An audio Bible
• Other links to wider content such as the national Church of England’s Daily Prayer site and weekly online service
• Recommended podcasts
• … with more content to come across the coming year and beyond.

While it is designed for all ages, ‘Fruitful’ should particularly appeal to a younger demographic and those who prefer to access information digitally rather than on paper. Using less paper will also help us meet our carbon net zero targets as a Diocese.

Captions for above pictures, top to bottom:
Pictures by Ronnie Semley for Blackburn Diocese

• The Archbishop of York with the Fruitful app on his phone in the new video
• The ‘Fruitful’ app being used on a smartphone while out and about
• Fruitful logo
• Fruitful QR code

What is Fruitful?

Fruitful is our new and free-to-download discipleship app, helping people across the diocese grow in ‘the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ’.

This new 'digital space' sits in the palm of your hand, on your tablet or smartphone and will build on our existing online channels to help you engage with scripture; inspire prayer and consider how we might collectively respond in worship.

What is on it?

• Lent Devotionals: Not only can you read the devotional wherever you are (at home, at work or on the move), you click on the devotional, read the bible passage and either choose to read, watch or listen to the devotional.
• 'Journey to Freedom' Lent Course: Bishop Philip’s five-week video-based Lent Course. From viewing and downloading the guidance notes to viewing and sharing the videos, the app will be a place where you can access all the content of the course.
• Podcasts: The Blackburn Diocesan Board of Education’s Bible Podlets and Follow the Son Podcasts
• Bible: Read or listen to the Bible built into the app and see any related media on the app connected to your passage.
• Event reminders: Stay updated on retreats and events throughout the diocese to help you grow in your faith – especially retreats at Whalley Abbey and other key events in the Diocese.
• Lectionary and Daily Prayer: In app link to both the lectionary and the daily offices

Going forward:

New content to help people grow in faith will be added onto the app as it is created. In the future there will be resources to help develop prayer life, know the scriptures better and grow in confidence in faith.

How can I get it?

The Fruitful app is free to download and has no in-app purchases. You can download it today from Apple and Google Play. Simply follow the instructions below:

1. Open Google Play or App Store
2. Search for ‘Fruitful: Diocese of Blackburn’ or use the following links:

Apple: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/id6476124566

Google: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.subsplashconsulting.s_54N9WT

QR Code:

1. Click install
2. Open the app
3. (Optional) To enjoy the full capabilities of the app and keep up to date with our newest releases, click on the person icon in the top right hand corner of the app and:

• Sign up
• Turn on notifications

Ronnie Semley, March 2024