Mission Network News

Back To Church Sunday 2009

Dioceses and other regional church groupings are beginning to focus their involvement with Back To Church Sunday, the most significant single invitational initiative in England (and increasingly internationally) at the moment. Please continue to keep Back To Church in your prayers and to build involvement where you are.

The key date is September 27 2009

The website is http://www.backtochurch.co.uk

And the 2009 Back To Church timeline and other resources are at http://www.backtochurch.co.uk/toptips.asp  

HOPE 08 Theos report

Part of the vision of HOPE 08 is to share learning with the whole church about holistic mission and how best to do it. With this in mind HOPE commissioned Theos to report on the initiative and its strengths and weaknesses.

The report is excellent and it's available for download here: http://www.hope08.com/Publisher/Article.aspx?ID=146307

Goodies from Gooding

From Guildford diocese John Gooding has these resources:

Hi friends,

Here are some resources that might interest other missioners:

We have recently produced for clergy a resource to encourage personal prayer – Patterns for developing our Personal Prayer Life.

We have also completed a detailed survey of parish world mission connections – To The Ends of The Earth’.

And we have produced a small booklet to resource our weekly Diocesan House prayer gathering which might inspire and encourage other diocesan house prayer patterns.

These resources are in our Departmental bit of the website in the ‘resources’ section:

http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/downloads/departments/missionevangelism/prayerpatternsresourcesforclergy.pdf

http://www.cofeguildford.org.uk/downloads/departments/missionevangelism/totheendsoftheearth.pdf

I understand that we are not able to put the Diocesan House internal prayers booklet on the public bit so if enquirers email me I will send them a pdf file.

John Gooding [[email protected]]

Emerging church, emerging schisms?

Interesting analysis by Mark Sayers of the tendency of emerging churches in all ages to fragment. George Lings and Stuart Murray have been doing some thinking about the application of this to our own culture; meanwhile this is worth a read if you're working with emerging churches where you are.

Thanks to Gill Poole for pointing us to this one.

The full story is at http://marksayers.wordpress.com/2009/03/25/the-emerging-missional-church-fractures-into-mini-movements/

Jonny Baker is more optimistic here: http://jonnybaker.blogs.com/jonnybaker/2009/03/fractured-or-networked-depends-on-the-lens-you-look-through.html

And an extract from Mark's analysis is here:

The Emerging Missional Church Fractures into Mini Movements

By marksayers

I just finished reading Alistair McGrath’s fantastic history of protestantism Christianity’s Dangerous Idea. It’s interesting how when the Reformation began, Protestantism united itself against what it saw as its binary opposite, Catholicism, but as time passed, Protestantism began to split into various movements and factions (eg Calvinist, Anabaptist, Anglican, Congregationalist etc), overtime these groups began to define themselves against each other rather than against the perceived enemy of the time, Rome.

The history of protestantism is a classic example of movement dynamics. Dissatisfaction creates a ground swell of support against a perceived problem, injustice or enemy. This ground swell coalesces into a movement; at first the movement’s energy and internal dialogue is centered around defining itself against the common enemy. But then as time passes the internal dialogue of the movement begins to shift away from ‘defining against’ to ‘defining itself’.Then the conversation changes and people inside the solidfying movement begin to discover that although they are united in their distaste of their ‘enemy’ there is much that they disagree with each other over. Then tensions and differences arise, fractures are followed by factions, and the new movement breaks up. (For another historical example of this check out the French revolution.)

The emerging missional church seems to be following a very similar path, having seemingly fractured into multiple movements...

Natural Church Development update: "Transforming Churches"

Miles Baker attended the latest NCD meeting on behalf of our network. He writes:

Transforming Churches Natural Church Development (NCD)

Christian Schwarz, from NCD international held a meeting in Sunbury Hill to invite denominations to join a Transforming Churches process, using the principles of Natural Church Development. Other countries have had denominational commitment to NCD and have seen dramatic results. The average growth rate of a church taking part in the process is increased 51%. It was also noted that ministers had more leisure time as they focused on the lowest quality characteristic. The participating churches saw more growth from conversion and less from transference.

“The primary goal of the Transforming Churches process is to encourage, equip, and support denominations that want to get serious about implementing the principles behind NCD in a long-term perspective and through teaching and training empower the denominations to take charge of the ongoing implementation and transformation process themselves.”

“The ultimate goal is of course to see multitudes of local churches grow in quality and experiencing the growth that comes “all by itself” as God gives the increase.”

The process takes a minimum of 18 months, with participating churches doing at least 2 surveys. But it’s not just surveys! Participants are offered coaching and seminars to help churches act upon the their results.

“The support structure will as far as possible be developed utilising existing denominational structures. Through training of coaches it is envisaged that denominations will establish their own support and coaching structure which will continue beyond the process and thereby release the potential for continual development and growth.”

The leadership team of NCD recognises that many denominations, including the Church of England are likely to join at diocesan or area level. This is a huge opportunity to allow the principles of NCD to equip churches to grow, “All by themselves!”

For more information on NCD and Transforming Churches go to www.ncd-uk.com

Or contact Miles directly: [email protected]

CAN relaunch event

CAN are refocusing their extremely helpful work for the churches. Their chair Francis Goodwin wites:

Dear Colleague,

The Churches Advertising Network (CAN) is planning a re-launch and we would love you to join us for a special launch event!

The team at CAN is passionate about campaigns and would like to see the Christian Church working in partnership to pool its resources and make an impact nationally.

The special re-launch will be on May 20th 2009 at the London Institute for Contemporary Christianity (LICC), St Peter's, Vere Street, London, W1G 0DQ (see invitation, map and directions attached)

We will begin at 11.30am for coffee, which will be followed by a presentation at 12noon.

A sandwich lunch will be provided and we expect to be finished by 2.30pm.

The meeting will cover an important range of new developments for and from CAN.

This will include:

- a topline review of the 2008 campaign results

- the 2009 Christmas campaign and how you can get more involved

- major changes to the way CAN is going to be providing its

services to the Christian community.

- our vision for the next 5 years

- meet the team and have your say

I hope you will be able to join us to both hear what we have to say and contribute to the future development of our work.

Please RSVP to the address below.

Kind regards

Francis Goodwin

Chairman of CAN

RSVP:

Churches Advertising Network

c/o RACHEL FARMER

Diocese of Southwell & Nottingham

Dunham House, Westgate

Southwell

Nottinghamshire

NG25 0JL

email:rachel@southwell.anglican.org

Start The Week - normal service resumed (we hope)

After a bit of a dizzy season for Rachel and Paul, we hope that Start The Week is now back on track for a weekly update. Please keep sending us your items for circulation.

This week a slimline edition, but lots of interest nonetheless. 

New missional posts in Rochester diocese

Jean Kerr sends details of new posts in the expanding mission team in Rochester. Could you pass these on to interesting parties in your part of the world?

1. DIOCESAN MISSION GROWTH TEAM LEADER within the department of Mission and Unity

We are looking for an experienced, ordained Anglican to help parishes explore issues around church growth.  You’ll enable and encourage Fresh Expressions of church, build up an active group of commissioned Evangelists, develop msm and msi training opportunities and help parishes respond to the new housing developments in their midst.

More to download here: Download Advert team growth

2. Pioneer Minister for the new housing developments in the Medway Valley

A five year appointment 

We are looking for an experienced, ordained Anglican to help targeted parishes explore issues around church growth.  You’ll enable and encourage local churches to grow in faith and faith sharing.  Help them develop strategic mission plans, identify opportunities for growing new congregations and fresh ways of encountering the ‘stranger in their midst’

More to download here:Download Advert pioneerProclaiming the Word and Work of God

For more info email Jean: jean.kerr@rochester.anglican.org

Willow Creek leadership conferences

This from Willow Creek's Malcolm Egner. Can you advertise these conferences where you are?

Greetings

As key people in networks of church leaders and in your concern for
encouraging the church to engage with society, I am contacting you with
regard to two cutting edge events we are hosting in Stafford for church
leaders and their leadership teams. These are also being held at other
venues across the country. I would be most grateful if you could pass
this information on to your networks. 

Innovating the church for the 21st century
- a one day seminar to stimulate and motivate churches in engaging with
today's culture (11 June Stafford - other dates in Edinburgh and St
Albans). Includes sessions on children's work, media in services, modern
worship, as well as looking at how culture is changing and how the
church can engage. We believe that the content of this seminar will be
of great help to churches. For more details:
www.willowcreek.org.uk/event.php?r=22

Global Leadership Summit
- a 2 day conference with world class speakers including Bill Hybels,
Bono (U2), Wess Stafford (Compassion International), David Gergen
(Adviser to four US Presidents), plus other church and organisation
leaders by videocast speaking on issues of leadership and vision. Takes
place 2-3 October in Stafford. Also at other venues throughout the UK.
For more details: www.willowcreek.org.uk/events_gls.php

Many thanks for your help


Malcolm Egner
Rising Brook Baptist Church
[email protected]
www.risingbrook.org

Alison Morgan on Darwin and God

Alison has sent one of her careful and thoughtful review-articles for circulation here - this one on Nick Spencer's "Darwin and God".

The full article is here for download: Download Spencer 09 Darwin & God

And the introduction to give you a flavour:

Not many books sell out within 24 hours of publication, but Nick Spencer’s careful study of Darwin’s faith and lack of faith is one of them – and justifiably so. Written in an accessible and readable style, this book clears up a number of misunderstandings and offers a balanced discussion of this little studied aspect of Darwin’s life. Tracing three distinct periods in Darwin’s journey of faith, Spencer shows that whilst a committed Christian believer at university and during his voyage on the Beagle, Darwin’s faith was challenged and undermined both by his experiences on board ship, and most tellingly by the death of his daughter Annie at the age of ten some years later. During the last years of his life Darwin moved from this theistic, if no longer Christian, position to one which he described as agnosticism – though he avoided religious controversy throughout his life and often remarked that he could see no reason for antagonism between science and faith. 

This book is an important contribution to the often highly charged Darwin ‘debate’, and gives the lie to those who would claim Darwin as an atheist. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is Spencer’s conclusion that the kind of faith which Darwin lost was, as for many at the time, a fundamentally rational, propositional one – more a philosophy than a faith, and one which carried with it no personal experience of God and no specific commitment to Jesus. For his wife, it seems it was not so – but for most educated Englishmen it probably was. It really does matter, Spencer concludes, what you base your faith on. How are we doing, he asks, today? 

Canadian church planting conference 2009

Paul and Phil Potter (Liverpool) were the keynote speakers at this event, following the apostolic succession of Graham Cray and George Lings. 

Check out the emerging Canadian fresh expressions scene here: http://www.freshexpressions.ca/

And pray for our Canadian sisters and brothers as they continue on this journey.

Mission Action Planning

A message form Mike Chew.

Mike Chew and Mark Ireland are on track to complete their MAP book, which is due to be published in the summer by SPCK. The book, foreworded by David Hope, will describe the origins of MAP, the theology of MAP, the MAP process, church case examples and diocesan approaches to growth and MAP. The question "Does it make a difference?" will also be addressed.
They request that missioners of dioceses that are involved with MAP and/or growth initiatives kindly look at the news pages of the www.churchmaps.co.uk website to check whether the details shown in the table for their dioceses are correct. This table will appear in the book. If there is a need to edit, or if more dioceses would like to have their details added, please respond by email to the MAP team at [email protected]
If dioceses have additional materials or resources to go on the website or in the book, please send them to this address also.

Church gives out 'tweets' for Lent

Online community set up to mark season of prayer, reflection and action.

‘What are you doing?’ asks the Church of England this Lent as it connects with people through the social networking site Twitter and a new Facebook application designed to get people to share their top tips for helping each other. The initiatives are designed to mobilise a viral movement marking Lent with simple acts of generosity and thoughtfulness in the real world.

The new online tools will help users share daily suggestions and encouragement for small actions they can take to do something positive for their friends, neighbours or wider local community, as part of the popular Love Life Live Lent campaign that has captured the imagination of more than a quarter of million people over the past two years. In 2007, more than 130,000 people joined in with Love Life Live Lent, many of whom opted to receive the daily suggested acts of service by text message. Last year, the suggested actions were available through social networking sites including Facebook and MySpace.

This year, suggested acts of kindness will include having a clear-out of unwanted clothes and toys and donating them to a charity shop, writing to an MP about a global poverty issue, creating a prayer space in the understairs cupboard or giving away a home-made gift. The Love Life Live Lent campaign, which is marking its third year as a national initiative, argues that such actions can be as transforming and spiritually beneficial as ‘giving something up’ for Lent, which begins on Wednesday, 25th February (Ash Wednesday).

The Facebook application can be added to users’ profiles to keep their friends up-to-date on which actions they have been trying each day; the Twitter profile will see the Church sending out daily ‘tweets’ (brief ‘blog’-style messages delivered to subscribers ‘following’ the Church’s profile) explaining that day’s suggested action and asking people to tweet back what they have done and the responses they receive. Both tools have been developed by thruSITES, a London-based web design and development firm.

James Haycock of thruSITES comments: “We are excited to be working with the Church of England building their presence on Twitter and Facebook. The immediate and social nature of these sites presents the opportunity for a conversation, not just between the Church and their audience, but also amongst the audience.”

Twitter users can start to ‘follow’ the Love Life Live Lent tweets at: http://twitter.com/c_of_e. Facebook users can download the application at: http://apps.facebook.com/love-life-live-lent.

This year’s campaign is also supported by two pocket-sized booklets from Church House Publishing, based on the ‘best of’ the previous series – one for children, and one for young people and adults – and, new for 2009, a family book packed with extra hints, tips and advice on completing a Lent’s worth of actions as a family. The campaign website – www.livelent.net – also includes extra resources, including a colourful wall chart to help families chart their journey through Lent together.

The price of the individual booklets has been held at £1 each (discount available for bulk orders) and the family book (ISBN 978-07151-4179-3) costs £4.99. They are available from Christian bookshops, or by mail order via the web at: www.chpublishing.co.uk/livelent

Is the Church in Danger of Domesticating and Institutionalising Pioneers?

The latest from Dave Male's blog on Share.

In the latest weekly Share blog, Dave Male asks: 'Is the church in danger of domesticating and institutionalising pioneers?' He writes from the perspective of someone who is actively involved in training Ordained Pioneer Ministers in the Church of England. To read his challenging conclusions, or to leave a comment, visit www.sharetheguide/blog

Job Vacancy at Fresh Expressions

Ben Clymo and Norman Ivison from Fresh Expressions would like to bring this vacancy to your attention.

Fresh Expressions is appointing a full-time Administrator to its national
team to handle its finance and administration functions. The role will be
based in office space at Leamington Spa. You will need to be committed to
the idea of new forms of church in a changing culture, be an excellent team
player and be flexible and creative in the way you approach your work.

Salary: £23,000 per annum plus benefits.

For more details, job specification and application form please go to
http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/jobs

'Coaching for Missional Leadership'

The latest resource from ACPI Books and Fresh Expressions 'Coaching for Missional Leadership' is now on sale.

A new book highlighting the advantages of coaching in ministry has just been published.

Coaching For Missional Leadership is published by ACPI Books in partnership with Fresh Expressions. 

Ever since the Mission-shaped Church report was published in 2004 there has been a movement of mission emerging right across the church. In order for this movement to continue to grow it is vital that missional leaders are identified, trained, released and supported.

In Coaching For Missional Leadership, Bob Hopkins and Freddy Hedley examine the importance of supporting leaders through coaching and mentoring, so that mission initiatives, church plants and fresh expressions of church have access to accompaniment that both provides best practice in mutual reflection and offers connection to the experience and wisdom of other leaders, as well as to the wider church.

In addition to exploring the principles behind coaching, this book is designed to be a manual for coaches to use as an ongoing resource that can help and inform their coaching and mentoring experience.

The material here has also been written to complement and follow on from the Fresh Expressions coach/mentor training course.

 Fresh Expressions, an initiative of the Church of England and Methodist Church, has resulted in hundreds of new church communities now existing side by side with more traditional church congregations.

www.freshexpressions.org.uk

Mission Teaching Position

Stephen Skuce sends this from Cliff College

Due to expansion of postgraduate courses in Mission and MA student numbers, Cliff College is seeking to appoint a new Postgraduate Tutor in Mission as an additional appointment. For further information go to ww.cliffcollege.ac.uk or contact Helen Phipps on 01246 584216 or [email protected]

Is the language of 'fresh expressions of church' killing our mission?

Steve Hollinghurst of The Sheffield Centre, Church Army, has written this week's blog on the Share website. In it, he wonders if the language of ‘fresh  expressions of church’ may be killing our mission. To read and comment, click on the Blog link at: www.sharetheguide.org

Oxford National Day Conference on Science, Liberal Christian Faith and Church Growth

Rev Dr Richard Warden sends this from Affirming Liberalism

Dear Colleague in Christ,

Following last year's highly successful launch of the Affirming Liberalism network supporting the liberal Christian tradition, I am making contact with as wide a membership of the Anglican church as possible about this year's national conference in Oxford- A Credible Faith for Growing Churches - and its highly regarded speakers in Canon Professor Keith Ward (Professor Emeritus of Oxford University) and Canon Professor Martyn Percy.(Principal of Ripon College Cuddesdon)
 
On its website the Church of England describes itself as, "a comprehensive church...which has been enriched by the co-existence within it of three traditions, the Evangelical, the Catholic and the Liberal"

  http://www.cofe.anglican.org/about/history/

The network seeks to affirm this Liberal Christian tradition and to ‘build bridges not barriers’ to the others.

Even if this conference is not you, you may like to pass the information to others?  If you are interested, a poster is attached which may be useful for promoting the conference, together with individual and group booking forms.

Respectfully yours,

Rev Dr Richard Warden

Chairman Affirming Liberalism

 

AFFIRMING LIBERALISM:

An Anglican Network

Supporting Liberal Christians of All Denominations

 
‘Building bridges not barriers’

http://www.affirming-liberalism.org.uk/about/

 
Second National Day Conference:

‘A Credible Faith for Growing Churches’
 

Saturday 6th June 2009 in The Sheldonian Theatre, Oxford. 10am-4pm

 
1. "Why the Scientific World-View Confirms Liberal Christian Faith".

Canon Professor Keith Ward;

Regius Professor of Divinity, Emeritus; Oxford University

 
2. "Why Liberal Churches Are Growing".

Canon Professor Martyn Percy;

Principal of Ripon College, Cuddesdon, Oxford
 

Why these topics?

    * Credible faith increasingly demands scientific awareness in the 21st century.
    * Many Liberal churches - from liberal evangelical to liberal catholic - are growing, but why?
    * What are the challenges from these 2 talks for mission and growth in our own churches?

Why these speakers?

    * Both are renowned communicators with national and international reputations.
    * They bring world-class theological expertise, having written extensively in these areas.

 
Who is the conference for?

    * Any individual: clergy, lay person, ordinand, student, agnostic, inquirer…
    * Any church group: PCCs, Ministry Teams, House Groups, Confirmation Groups…

Why Oxford?

    * Oxford is beautiful in sunny June -and only marginally less so in rain!
    * A central venue with excellent communications links, whether by train, road or coach.
    * Optional lunchtime Conference Service in The University Church of St Mary.
    * Access to Blackwell's bookshop with its comprehensive Theology section.

 Why The Sheldonian Theatre?

    * One of Europe's finest historical buildings, designed by Sir Christopher Wren.
    * An "architectural jewel" in the heart of the city where Oxford University degrees are conferred.
    * Recently (2008) fully restored, complete with ceiling paintings. http://www.sheldon.ox.ac.uk/

 

What about lunch?

    * A rare opportunity to have lunch in an Oxford University college (either Wadham, Exeter, Brasenose or Hertford).
    * Bar facilities available and college gardens open.

    * Early booking advised to secure place for lunch in college.

 

What about travel?

    * A short walk from the train station (10 minutes) and coach station (5 minutes).
    * Efficient Park and Ride facilities to the north, south, east and west of the city.

 

How much does it cost?

    * Minimal charge for a high-quality conference in magnificent surroundings.
    * £25 - to include substantial sandwich buffet lunch with fruit, teas and coffees in an Oxford college.
    * 10% discount for groups of 5 and over – so why not encourage a group from your church ?
    * NB £17.50 for full-time students and all Ordinands.

 

BOOKING FORMS ABOVE (OR ON WEBSITE)

Put Your Reflexes to the Test

John Clark suggests trying this seemingly simple, yet highly frustrating distraction in a spare minute.

Try clicking on this link and playing the game!
 
http://members.iinet.net.au:80/~pontipak/redsquare.html