We dreamed on…

Greenbelt 2024 has come to a close, and I’m still buzzing with excitement from all the incredible experiences we shared. The energy was absolutely contagious.

There was something for everyone, from the engaging conversations on our ‘Gather Outpost’ CMS Pioneer stand, to our inspiring ‘Dreamers Who Do…’ series of workshops, not to mention our very own programmed speakers Jonny Baker and Harvey Kwiyani.

But just because the festival is over doesn’t mean the journey ends here. There’s still so much to learn, explore, and share! Let’s take a moment to reflect on all we’ve accomplished and talk about how we can keep the momentum going with some exciting emails and follow-up webinars designed just for you.

First, let’s reflect on all the great things that happened over the past few days. Festivals like these are more than just a series of events; they are about community, connection, and growth.

It was amazing to see so many pioneers come together with a shared passion for learning, creating, and celebrating. Here are a few key takeaways from this year’s festival:

We set six fun challenges on the stand for people to engage with.

1. Find a New Edge: How well do you know your neighbourhood? – a challenge to get to know your context better.
2. Form a Dream Team: How to find other people with shared vision and create the dream team with shared values, complementary skill sets, shared values, passion and vision – a challenge to create a team and become dreamers who do…
3. Make the Impossible Possible: Learn how to articulate your dream and start the thing you dream of doing – a challenge to set up something new.
4. Take your Church to the Edge: Equipping people to engage with their churches – a challenge to find out how to take your church on a journey toward being more missional with Pioneering Parishes.
5. Be You: You are the best of you when you’re fully you – a challenge to discover your passions, talent, and be more you!
6. Pray and Read the Bible from the Edges: pray with people from the edges – a challenge to reach out and learn to listen to the edges through scripture and prayer.

Secondly, we had a great workshop series. 

We kicked off with the dynamic duo that is the amazingly creative and talented Tina Hodgett and Greg Bakker running a workshop called ‘Dreamers Who Do… Liberating the Dreamers’.

They began by thinking about what it is like to be stuffed into a box. A jack-in-the-box and a child who volunteered to be shut up in a large box for a moment helped us empathise with people who feel boxed in by expectations, convention, buildings, the need for security.

Lots of wisdom was shared about the mindsets and practices that need to change to allow everyone to be set free from their boxes and to allow the dreamers to fly and to fulfil their call to birth new things. (If you’re interested to know more check out Pioneering Parishes.)

Natalie Burfitt led a workshop called ‘Dreamers Who Do… Social Enterprise’. This created space for people to share stories and wisdom. Anji Barker and the Newbigin Community Trust team from Birmingham, offered key learning points from their experiences. (“See obstacles as opportunities and find a way round them,” and “Put God in the balance sheet and expect God’s provision,” were two gems. There were lots more.)

It was exciting to hear stories from different initiatives around the country, in all their glorious realities. (If you’re interested in learning more about social enterprise look at Make Good.)

And finally, I led a workshop called ‘Dreamers Who Do… Ecotheology’. The workshop began with a short presentation on what ecotheology is, followed by a great presentation by John White of Hazelnut Farm in Bristol who pioneered a garden church, a shining example of ecotheology at work engaging spiritualty, community, people and earth care.

A presentation from Ruth Wilson of Peckwood Forest Space told stories of wondering and wandering through forest, learning how to breath well and to bathe in the beauty of the forest.

There were so many wonderful questions and shared stories that followed, a rich and encouraging engagement.  (If you would like to learn more check out Justice and Environment).

Thirdly, Jonny Baker spoke on a panel called ‘Whatever Happened to Alternative Worship.’ The venue was buzzing with people thirsty to connect with alt worship. The take-away from this session was the sort of creative worship we curate as pioneers is something people are hungry for again.

Last but by no means least our esteemed Harvey Kwiyani spoke in the No Fly Zone, as part of a panel group out together by Christian Aid to discuss mission without white saviourism.

The main question was: how can we continue to bear witness for Christ in the world today without sustaining the old models when mission was really about white saviours going around the world to save and civilise people.

They suggested a few key moves to help us make mission without white saviourism happen.

First, we need to acknowledge that the old model is flawed. We need to critique its theological underpinnings and deconstruct its grounding in white supremacy.

Second, we need to make space in our organisations and partnership systems to listen and learn from people that we serve around the world.

Finally, we believe that as a community engaged in mission in the world, we need to lament and repent of the colonial legacy of our work and commit to doing better in collaboration with others around the world. (This collaboration in a new world of global witness is something the new Acts 11 Project will focus on.)

Whether you were able to make it or not it’s not too late to get involved. Keep an eye out for events detailed online and, in our newsletter, as well as through social media #dreamerswhodo.

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