Pioneer mission leaders can now benefit from radically different training approach

The Church Mission Society officially launched its new Pioneer Mission Leadership Training course with an open day for prospective students and Diocesan Directors of Ordinands at their offices in Oxford.

Following the success of a pilot that started in September 2010, this event begins the recruitment process for the official start in the Autumn of 2011.

A Foundation Degree in Ministry accredited by Oxford Brookes University through a partnership with Oxford Diocese, the course has been specifically tailored by CMS for those seeking to create fresh expressions of church as well as pioneers exploring innovative mission opportunities in the UK. It is practically-based learning that is infinitely flexible and works with the demands and challenges of Christian ministry. It can also be used as a legitimate route for those seeking ordained ministry in the Church of England.

The course has been developed in response to the 2004 Church of England’s Mission-Shaped Church report that called for the "lens of cross-cultural mission to shape training in pioneering ministry in the UK". CMS is well placed to train and resource pioneers in mission and church planters because of their expertise gained over 200 years of presenting the gospel in diverse cultural contexts.

Welcoming the initiative the Rt Rev Colin Fletcher, Bishop of Dorchester said, “Pioneer Ministry is a bold and imaginative response to the mission challenges confronting the Church today and the need for new approaches and strategies to training. CMS with much experience in cross cultural mission is well qualified to partner with the Church of England in this.” The bishop is a member of the project’s advisory committee.

Course Director, Jonny Baker, says of this exciting development, “We’re seeing a surge in mission activity all over the country – often at the edge of what we think of as traditional church. But people who are pioneering often feel lonely and perhaps haven’t had the chance to enrich their grassroots experience with reflection and study. This course is a brilliant new training pathway for pioneer mission leaders, both lay and ordained. It’s very participative, on-the-job training, leading to a validated foundation degree. It enables people who want to lead the way in mission to learn, practise and reflect in context – with experienced pioneers.”

The course is modular and can be completed over a three or four year period. Alternatively modules can be bought into on an individual basis, with credits amassed over an unlimited time frame. Modules are taught by experienced practitioners who have worked in different mission contexts across the globe. Students have access to resources at both CMS and Oxford Brookes and work is assessed with the gathering of evidence to prove specific gifts and competencies that are relevant for pioneer ministry. It is encouraged that this evidence be as creative as possible and has already included poetry, a music video and collage.

To find out more about the course, visit the website pioneer.cms-uk.org

The next open day is planned for 19 May 2011.

Published: 14:02 08 March 2011  |  2519 views
Last updated: 10 March 2011
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