CMS Pioneer Mission Training has a new leader
CMS Pioneer Mission Training has a new leader
There’s a new leader for CMS’s Oxford-based pioneer training. But he may not be new to you.
by Jayne Runacres,
Dr James Butler has been appointed to the role of Pioneer Mission Training team leader. James has served as pioneer MA lecturer and assistant coordinator at Church Mission Society (CMS) Pioneer Mission Training for the last eight years.
Commenting on his appointment, James said: “I really think we have something special in terms of the courses and the team. I’m looking forward to this change in role and supporting the team as well as the students.”
Jonny Baker, Britain Hub mission director at CMS, said: “I am delighted that James has been appointed as the Pioneer Mission Training team leader. He has eight years’ experience of working in the team, teaching the MA, so knows CMS well. We interviewed both internal and external applicants and James was the outstanding candidate.”
Jonny added: “I also want to take this opportunity to thank Cathy for all her leadership and hard work over the years that she has led of Pioneer Mission Training.”
Canon Dr Cathy Ross has led the team for six years but has decided to hand the reins over. She will continue to teach and tutor as part of the team.
James has a wealth of experience in academic research. Alongside his work at CMS, he has also worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Roehampton, researching themes of learning, discipleship and social action. His interest in social action began many years ago and has been evident in many of his previous roles including with a charity working in emergency accommodation. His PhD explored how Small Missional Communities sustain their social action.
As well as teaching and research, James has plenty of practical experience of mission. He has previously served on mission in Argentina and Uruguay. Indeed, much of his research was focused on ‘real life’ as James explains, “the privilege of being involved in research was the opportunity to hear about the rootedness of faith in people’s lives. I’ve hugely benefited from collaborating with them, seeing what they were doing and learning, and experiencing the changes actually happening in them and in their communities and churches.”
This collaborative approach is something James is keen to continue in his new role, as he says: “I am looking forward to connecting with pioneers on what they do to develop our work with them further. Our doctoral students are already conducting great research and I am looking forward to developing that along with our listening work. I want to see our students thrive in what they feel called to.”
James is married with two young daughters. Outside work he enjoys running (though not particularly quickly) and would like to watch more films, if he had the time.
