Yes, pioneering does include the planting of new congregations and building churches around a worshipping community. Church planting, however, is not the sole expression of pioneering activity.

by Rev Greg Bakker

Pioneering is also expressed in the patient work of spiritually listening to and observing a context long before public worship services are even launched. In this expression of pioneering, pioneers (and the church) accept the posture of ‘guest’ in the space. As ‘guest’, pioneers aspire to listen carefully to God and local people, seeking to discern in a collaborative way what is to be co-created in that place.

What flows out of this collaboration is activity which reflects the values of Kingdom and often demonstrates the marks of mission such as environmental care and justice, creating a movement in a local community where more people can thrive, and serving wisely and lovingly in meeting the needs identified by the local residents. Sometimes this pioneering activity involves working with others who are already at work; other times it offers the opportunity to collaboratively develop something new. In either case, pioneers are seeking God’s guidance, deepening connections, and earning the right to be heard and participate in the wider context.

This form of pioneering is often seen as being uninterested in nurturing space for people to discover Jesus and be nurtured in the journey of Christian faith. What patience frequently reveals is that embodying the posture of guest gives people an opportunity to share their lives and to ask about our values and motives. Often, curious people will venture into spiritual conversations, discussion groups, and even sharing in the launching of a new, contextually appropriate, Christian congregation.

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