Parish Mission Enabler

This post is for a new member of staff to make a positive contribution to God’s mission and ministry at All Saints, Wellington and St Catherine’s, Eyton by building the capacity for evangelism and disciple making within the churches, and by sharing the gospel in the local communities.

Initially they will take time to understand the context of the community and get to know people within the churches.  They will build on this by working with others to develop plans to reach out to specific sectors of the community.  They will take the lead in training and equipping members of the church in mission and evangelism.

We are looking for someone with a living and mature Christian faith who has a track record in fruitful evangelism and in training others in evangelism. 

Hours: 40 hours per week, including weekend and evening working

Salary: £24,000 per annum.  If housing is required, it may be possible to arrange this in lieu of part of salary

Applications close: 3rd July

“Can I be a Pioneer if I am also an Evangelical?” A starter for ten….

Every now and then at Fresh Expressions (FX) HQ we notice a ripple of conversation out there in the ether – and, incorrigibly curious folk that we are – we can’t help but seek the source. So when the virtual jungle drums beat out “Are the evangelical tradition and pioneer identity compatible…?” recently, well – you know what we’re like. So, we tracked down Ray Driscoll, a Pioneer, ordinand and missional muser who wrote a blog that got tongues wagging and asked him to let us be part of the conversation. Here are some of Ray’s thoughts and questions about theological integrity, identity and faithfulness in different forms – lots of our favourite topics, and we would LOVE to hear your responses and comments….

Ray writes:

“Pioneers are defined as those “called by God who are the first to see and creatively respond to the Holy Spirit's initiatives with those outside the church; gathering others around them as they seek to establish new contextual Christian community”. [1]  Moreover, we follow Christ as “the pioneer and perfecter of faith” [2].  Christ’s pioneering is multi-faceted; he pioneered a new way of relating to God, he pioneered a new way of being with others and he pioneered a new humanity. Pioneering is rooted in the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Missional at heart and located far from the established church, Pioneers obsess about new things. We are perceptive and observant, reading culture; always looking for an edge to begin to work with. We believe that God is always at work in culture before we arrive. If we listen and wait long enough, we will hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit and join with the ongoing work.

The theologian Stephen Bevans surveys six models of mission and the theology behind them[3], and it seems to me that pioneering sits closely aligned to two of these – the anthropological and the transcendental model.

The anthropological model is one in which the practitioner looks to culture to identify the gospel which is already present and at work. They then point to God, already present and at work. The gospel and culture form a partnership, and God works in and through human experience.

The transcendental model is closely related. Assuming that God is implicitly at work in human experience; the discovery of individual subjectivity is the beginning of the journey towards God. Less about learning doctrine, theology is a process in which we grapple with our own existence and the existence of God in tandem. This approach has much to offer us in the post-modern world in which individuals are “spiritual but not religious”.

But bring the evangelical tradition alongside these missional models and definitions of Pioneering – and I see a bit of a problem. The Evangelical tradition is rooted the reformation and the cry “Sola Gratia” (Grace alone).  It is by grace alone we can be saved and not by work of man. This resulted in a shift in emphasis from sacrament to word,[4] and evangelicalism emerged with the emphasis on the word alone intact. By the 20th century, Lloyd-Jones argued that within the evangelical tradition one must begin and submit only to scripture: “the evangelical distrusts reason, and particularly reason in the form of philosophy”. [5] Evangelicalism in this era has been characterised by a reluctance to see creation, ecology and social issues as Christian priorities.

The ‘scripture alone’ principle naturally influences the missional model adopted by evangelicals. Bevans calls this the translation model. The gospel has a core, coming to us wrapped in the culture from with it emerged. The practitioner unwraps the gospel from the culture and then rewraps it with the target culture. 

Evangelicalism has become more nuanced since Lloyd-Jones gave this address in the 1970s. However, Lundin highlights that whilst evangelicalism has softened to culture, there is still a failure to engage at the cutting edge. The pattern has been “for new theories to surface and circulate for a decade or more before evangelical scholars begin to appropriate them”. [6] (An example of this from my own life can be seen in ‘The Simpsons’ – rejected by evangelical friends whilst I grew up, and now used as a Youth resource!)

So, can I be an evangelical and a pioneer when the pioneer approach to creation and culture seem incompatible with evangelical theology? We operate at the forefront of cultural change and innovation, yet evangelicals situate themselves a way back from the frontline – wavering from outright denial to caution at best. As Pioneering establishes itself in the Church of England, the challenge to develop a coherent theology and methodology is on!”

Well, that’s given us something to think about! How about you? Let us know your thoughts….

 

Interview by Hannah Skinner

You can find Ray Driscoll's blog at http://raydriscoll78.blogspot.co.uk​

 


[1] https://www.churchofengland.org/clergy-office-holders/ministry/selection/pioneer-ministry.aspx

[2] Hebrews 12:2, NIV

[3] Stephen B. Bevans, Models of Contextual Theology, 2002

[4] Louis Berkof, Systematic Theology, 607.

[5] Martin Lloyd-Jones, What is an Evangelical?, 44.

[6] Lundin, Roger, The Arts, in McDermott, Gerald R, The Oxford Handbook of Evangelical Theology, 427.

Hopeful, Painful & Honest – Rural FX Conference report

As your roving Fresh Expressions (FX) explorer, ponderer and reporter-at-large, I consider myself a fairly clued-up cookie. I’ve seen enough FXs to know that each one is different, and that context is crucial. So it was with a growing sense of sheepishness that I drove the couple of hours it took to get from my city-gal life and over the Peaks to join the FX Rural Gathering. “Crikey…” I thought as I drove further and further away from the towns and cities, “This is A LONG WAY from the city!” As I passed a church, and then a few houses, and then a lot of fields, and then a lot more fields, and then another church…. The point was brought home with every passing farm/sheep/wiggly mountain road – FX Rural is about a totally different context with very different challenges, and whilst the underlying principles may remain the same, the need for specific resourcing and space for practitioners became ever clearer. 

“These days have been a breath of fresh air” I was told as I arrived, “to be with other people who understand the rural context – who know the challenges, but are also hopeful.” And this really set the tone for my visit to the gathering, which was already in full-swing with a mix of workshops, worship and lot of space in between to engage with others and share the journey together. “I feel like the sun has broken through the clouds”, another FX gatherer told me, “these days have been gentle, reflective and intentional – we’re all here to really listen to each other. I feel excited and energised!” The sense of hope was palpable – a clear sense that more people are becoming involved in FX on the rural scene, that the ‘mixed economy church’ (i.e. the old and the new alongside each other) is flourishing, that signs of God at work through rural practitioners are abundant.

And that is great! Everyone needs hopeful spaces and encouraging times. However, giving depth to the gathering was the simultaneous acknowledgment of the lows as well as the highs – the difficulties, the sadness, the failures, and the courage required to keep going at times. “We’ve heard the pain and the hope”, one of the organisers reflected to me – “there’s been no whitewashing of the difficulties.” Courage and honesty about the times that feel hopeless, held and heard alongside stories of hope and times of celebration is a powerful thing – and these two themes wove through the gathering as clearly as the rhythms of the seasons weave through the rural context and experience. 

 

“People are being really open about failure and brokenness”, Bishop Chris Edmondson – who, alongside Jerry Marshall, CEO of the Arthur Rank Foundation, acted as a ‘conference companion’– reflected over a cup of tea. “Jerry and I are here to listen and reflect back the main themes of the gathering, and what we’re hearing is honesty, courage and an understanding that God will honour the willingness to take risks, even when things don’t work out as planned. There are brave people on the rural scene going into places with no vision or hope and changing things radically. They need courage to hold their nerve in the face of opposition, courage to endure, and courage to realise and accept when things need to die.” Courage, yes – but also resourcing and support, and this was equally evident at the FX rural gathering. 

Over the coming months we’ll be bringing you more views and stories from the FX rural gathering. Look out for reflections on worship in FX contexts, discipleship and how to ‘end well’ when it becomes clear that things aren’t working. But for now, I’ll leave you with words from a Rural gatherer and the promise that at FX HQ we are committed to sharing the hopeful and hopeless times with you – and will soon update details of local and regional gatherings where you can link up and share the journey with fellow pioneers and developers too:

“I’ve loved the honesty, and I’ve loved the times to listen and be heard. Sometimes my work can feel really lonely, so to be reminded that I am part of a community of people working in rural settings who feel the same has been a real blessing.”

 

Article by Hannah Skinner

To everything there is a season

‘Dying to Live’: Rural Fresh Expressions Gathering, 22nd-24th May.

Seasons, cycles, rhythms and change. Hot topics in any Fresh Expressions (FX) chat – but arguably nowhere more starkly observed than in the rural context. Whilst many of the issues and principles facing urban and rural FX practitioners are the same, the rural context can provide a unique set of circumstances which highlight the challenges in a bright-spotlight-in-your-face kind of way. Suspend potential urban mutterings for a moment whilst we consider these factors:

  • the geographical areas for Fresh Expressions to cover are bigger (likewise the inherited church) and so there is a greater distance to travel to gather or find like-minded folk;
  • the age profile tends to be older so there is less critical mass of children and young adults to sustain work amongst this demographic;
  • inherited church leaders are often required to maintain multiple-parishes and aging buildings, leading to less resource available for pioneering new FX outworkings.

And (unsurprisingly) a combination of these factors are leading to speedier decline in church attendance in rural areas… All in all, its tough out there amongst those rolling hills.

But, after that catalogue of reasons to despair, there is hope – and that’s what the folk at ‘Dying to Live’ will be exploring on 22nd-24th May at Hayes Conference Centre in Swanick. After all, if there are any people who understand the cycles of decline, dormancy and new life then it’s got to be those who live and work in rural settings –  where the seasons dictate the pace, and cycles of life and death provide patterns far starker than in urban settings. Analogies with the natural world abound and provide a rich vein for discussion and reflection, but these also fit hand-in-hand with Biblical and theological perspectives – if it all boils down to a Gospel of new life and the fingerprints of the divine through all creation, what does this mean in practical terms as the Body of Christ finds new expressions in situations of apparent death and decline?

The gathering at Swanick on May 22nd-24th will provide ample opportunities for story-telling, reflection and peer-led learning around these issues facing rural FX ministry. Moving away from front-led leadership, the gathering will focus on the experiences of practitioners and how best to enable and support – and a combination of Biblical engagement (led by Bishop Mike Harrison and Rev. Canon Sally Gaze), examining case studies and the principles they illuminate, and networking time reflect the hope that this is a time for reflection, encouragement and relationship building. Worship will interweave through the weekend, led by Sam and Sara Hargreaves, and will provide spaces to pause and consider creative responses through worship and prayer.

In addition to the central programme, planning has also taken account of what everyone knows to be the real ‘best bits’ of any conference type event – the stuff (conversations, encounters, idea sharing) that happens over the dinner table/at the bar/in the toilet queue…! Taking these incidental but crucial moments seriously, ‘Dying to Live’ will have two ‘conference companions’ on site throughout the gathering. Arthur Rank CEO Jerry Marshall and Bishop Chris Edmondson have an enviable if challenging job for the weekend – they’re there not to lead or direct conversations, but to sit back and listen. At the bar, over coffee, brushing teeth – they’ll pick up key, emerging themes and reflect these back at the close of the weekend. With one ear on God and one ear on the people and discussions around them, these ‘conference companions’ will be one very special way that ‘Dying to Live’ facilitates shared learning and reflection.

Anyway, no doubt by now any rural FX practitioners and enablers out there not already signed up are scrolling enthusiastically for a ‘book now’ button. Well, you’ll need to hold your horses as there has been a huge uptake for places this year and the team are currently creating extra spaces in conversation with the venue. If you’re interested, please do contact kath.atkins@freshexpressions.org.uk as soon as possible and we’ll try and get you sorted with a ticket. If, however, you can’t make the date there are still ways that you can get involved and benefit from the conversations and learning of ‘Dying to Live’. The planning team are hoping that rural FX soul-mates will be found, and that groups of like-minded folk will breathe new life into regional rural hubs that create spaces for accessing support and inspiration. Watch this space for ‘Dying to Live’ sessions, news and updates online – and maybe there’ll be a new local meet-up planned by the freshly energised near you soon!

Rural FX ministry is full of challenge and opportunity – there is a time for both, and ‘Dying to Live’ is a time where both will be explored and discussed alongside peers and partners for the journey. Making time, reflecting, praying, listening and learning – sounds like a great new season to us, and we can’t wait to hear what emerges from this special time together.

 

 

Preparing the Ground

What do housing estate builders and pioneer community workers have in common…? Well, after chatting with Sue Steer – who’s been in post at Lubbesthorpe, Leicester, since September 2016 – it seems that the answer may be ‘more than you’d think’. Groundworks have been ongoing to prepare for the new housing development for over a year, and the deeper preparation of being ready to welcome and support the formation of community as people finally move in has run alongside the muddy stuff.

“People do ask me, “what are you doing? There’s no people yet!” And I have wondered the same myself at points…!” says Sue, whose pioneer community role is supported by four denominations and will eventually mean that she moves to live in the heart of the new community of Lubbesthorpe. However, with the first settlers due to move into the first completed houses by the end of April, all the preparation and relationship building is about to reveal its value. “The last six months have been about working with stakeholders and key partners at the Council”, Sue explains. “We’re starting from scratch here, and Churches Together in Leicester have been building solid foundations for the work we’re hoping to do as people begin to move onto the estate.”

Those in the housing development know (nope, us neither) will be aware that a “106 Agreement” can provide a legally binding framework to guarantee the provision of certain community facilities as a new estate is built. In Lubbesthorpe that will mean that within the first year or so spaces such as a community cabin, and later house, will be provided to give a focal point for gathering and resources. However, what in the interim? The first residents won’t even have completed roads or pathways – so how does Sue plan to begin to foster a sense of community when everyone needs to hop in their car just to leave the estate?

 

“I’m thinking about what will bring people together,” says Sue. Initially, as only eight households per month are expected to move in per month as the estate is completed, this will involve personal visits and welcomes to every home – as well as some out-door events planned over the summer to provide spaces where the new neighbours can meet each other. However, Sue recognises that this work will soon become unsustainable, and so she is currently building a team to help her plan and eventually deliver the community work on the new estate. Another source of support for Sue is the overseeing group representing the denominations that are resourcing her work. “There is no expectation of a particular outcome” says Sue. “The support group ‘get it’ – my job here is to build community and see what happens, not to develop a church plant or any other particular model. Eventually we may see a missional community grow here – but there is no agenda and no pressure.” This imagination, openness and faith that Sue will support what happens organically as the community forms feels like a real gift – to both Sue and to the people who are moving onto the estate.

 

“I can’t wait to see what takes root as people move in”, Sue says. “I know from experience there will be hard times, boring times, lessons to learn – but this is it at last!” Sue anticipates that her early work will be to identify community gatekeepers – those who just seem to build community around them without trying – and to facilitate what grows. “It’s about building relationships, listening and going with what works.” It’s a threshold moment for Sue and the people currently packing to move to Lubbesthorpe, and we are inspired by the openness to allowing the opportunity to take the shape and vision of those who find a home there. Trusting in the imagination of a Creator who can think way outside the new-build and discerning ways to be involved in the new work in that place – well, that sounds ground breaking to us.

 

By Hannah Skinner

 

MA Lecturer and/or Undergraduate Programme Co-ordinator

Church Mission Society (CMS) are looking for new teaching and co-ordinating staff for their influencial Pioneer Mission training programmes in Cowley, Oxford.

There are two roles available:

MA Lecturer 7 hours/week

Undergraduate Programme Co-ordinator/Lecturer 17.5 hours/week

These roles can be applied for together or individually.

Job descriptions for both roles can be downloaded below.

To apply please visit their website to download an application form and return to and return to:  HR Team, CMS Watlington Road, Oxford OX4 6BZ or email jobs@churchmissionsociety.org

Research Director

Church Army are seeking an experienced and gifted leader with a passion for research to lead Church Army’s Research Unit.

This is an incredible opportunity to build on the transformative work of Dr George Lings and join this pioneering and unique team which is effecting real change both in Church Army and the wider Church. As the leader of the unit, you will be responsible for leading the team as a centre of excellence inresearch; and inspiring the Church in mission through the Unit’s findings.

The successful candidate will:

  • Be educated to Master’s degree or equivalent
  • Have a developed understanding of evangelism and fresh expressions of church
  • Be an excellent communicator
  • Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills

 

  • Salary- Senior Salary Level
  • Hours – 37.5 hours per week. Normal working hours are Monday to Friday 9 -5 with evening and weekend work required as per the needs of the role require. Travel will be a key part of the role. 
  • Terms – Full Time, Open Ended Contract
  • Six-month probation
  • 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays
  • Auto-enrolment pension or CEPB if eligible

Application    

Please submit a detailed letter of application to us detailing how your skills and experience make you suitable for the role. You should refer fully in your application to the criteria in the Person Specification. Your application should also include details of two references who could be contacted to provide references for you, one faith based and one employment related. References will only be sought for those who are shortlised and not without approval from you. 

Please return to:     recruitment@churcharmy.org.uk

or by post to:           Faye Popham, HR Team, Wilson Carlile Centre, 50 Cavendish Street, Sheffield, S3 7RZ

Closing Date    9th May 2017

Interviews    18th May 2017 in Sheffield 

 

www.churcharmy.org.uk/research

Pioneer mission Enabler

This role is for someone excited about developing mission and discipleship among families & young people.

Could you develop a team from within our congregation to live as authentic disciples beyond the church?

Can you nurture life enhancing relationships with the unchurched? If yes this role could be for you.

The role comes with accommodation and a salary of £21,840 for a 35 hour week This is initially a 3-year appointment and is subject to a satisfactory DBS check.

For more details and an application pack go to

http://www.cofesuffolk.org/vacancies/role/pioneer-mission-enabler or email: cheryl.cheesman24@gmail.com

Closing date: 12th May & Interviews Saturday 27th May

Ashton Under Lyne 17

The Methodist Church and URC in Greater Manchester and area are delighted to make msm available locally. We believe it will be a significant resource for building the Kingdom of God in this area. Individuals are most welcome, but we particularly hope that small groups from a church or fresh expression will come as this will deepen the impact of the course.

Who is it for?

  • Those exploring how to begin, sustain and grow a fresh expression of church;
  • Experienced pioneers who want to reflect on what they are doing;
  • Those wanting to learn qualities of Christian ministry;
  • Christians who want their churches to be more effective in mission;
  • All denominations, traditions and ages;
  • Urban, suburban and rural contexts.

Features of the course

  • Designed for busy Christians;
  • Delivered ecumenically;
  • Local and national teachers;
  • Reflection on your context and story;
  • Varied learning styles and resources;
  • Coaching, mentoring, learning networks;
  • Full materials and extra online material.

Modules include

  • Mission context;
  • The mission of God;
  • Vision, values and call;
  • Starting something new;
  • Listening for mission;
  • What is church?
  • Gospel and culture;
  • Team roles and behaviour;
  • Discipleship;
  • Evangelism;
  • Spirituality, worship and the sacraments;
  • Growing to maturity.

Your local course

The course leaders and teachers include Rod Hill and Stuart Radcliffe.

Course timetable and venue

  • Wednesday, 26th April 2017
  • Wednesday,24th May 2017
  • Saturday, 10th June 2017
  • Wednesday, 21st June 2017
  • Saturday, 8th July 2017
  • Wednesday, 27th September 2017
  • Wednesday, 25th October 2017
  • Saturday, 4th November 2017
  • Wednesday, 22nd November 2017
  • Wednesday, 24th January 2018
  • Wednesday 28th February 2018
  • Saturday, 31st March 2018

This year, the course will run on weeknights and Saturdays. Weeknights run from 19.30-21.30 Hurst Methodist Church, Curzon Road, Ashton-under-Lyne, OL6 9QZ. Saturdays run from 10.00-16.00 other local fresh expressions venues to be arranged.

 

Cost

£250.00 (For Methodist members within the Manchester & Stockport District this will be reduced to £100.00 and subsidies may be available through THE URC and other PARTNERS)

Download the flier and booking form below or book online.

Contact

Rod Hill rodney.hill@methodist.org.uk