Pioneer Ministry - What People Want!

conversing with a colleague on their journey towards having a Pioneer Minister, this outline document came to mind:

JOB DESCRIPTION

Working with others to plan, develop and sustain a fresh expression of church for those who are non-churched. Task and roles includes:

1. Exploring and engaging with the culture and context of the community where the fresh expression of church is to be established. Consulting and liaising with others who are working both within the local church community and in the wider community.

2. Leading the emerging Christian community in ways which are culturally relevant and authentic having an obvious connection with the church and subscribing to the views and practices of orthodox Christianity and the Anglican tradition.

3. Assembling a team of committed volunteers who subscribe to the vision and who have the suitable gifts and potential to assist in establishing the fresh expression of church. Supporting, pastoring and mentoring those team members as they grow in personal and Christian formation and in effectiveness in leading a fresh expression of church.

4. Establishing suitable processes for mutual and individual accountability within the project.

5. Reflecting prayerfully on the most appropriate ways to establish a form of church for non-churched people (adult and young people) within that community.

6. Co-ordinating appropriate worship (having due care for the need for an appropriate sacramental life), prayer, fellowship, outreach and social engagement within the life of the community.

7. Putting in place a strategy for the continuing development and future sustainability of the project. Identifying and securing the necessary resources for all, and any, new forms of church.

8. Drawing up and managing the budget for any fresh expressions of church that may come into being.

9. Convening and facilitating the management group for the project.

10. Sharing within the wider parish/diocesan/denominational setting the experience and learning gained from the project as might be fitting.

11. Contributing to the evaluation of the project as required, preparing such reports as may from time to time be requested.

12 . Acting as coach/mentor to other pioneer mission leaders within the project/area [optional - depending upon experience and skills]

13. Engaging in any continuing professional development or other appropriate ongoing training as is required.

14. Any other duties reasonably requested by the incumbent or project manager (where applicable).

Not a job for the fainthearted when it is put on paper like this is it? More than just sitting in cafés and dossing around with non-Christians, more like a load of work (often without the support structure that a standard parish role which perhaps indicates some benefit in a curacy of sort being with those starting out?)

Pax
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