Culture change in practice
Together we grapple with the challenge of developing a pioneering culture and a mixed ecology of church
A series of four webinars for church leaders grappling with the challenge of turning their parish inside out. Challenging what may be a bias towards those who are already present, and shifting the energy of the whole church outwards.
Discussion is facilitated to enable experiences and wisdom to be shared while receiving encouragement through ideas and case studies. Participants receive tools to enable lasting culture change.
Next course
Take a look at our Eventbrite page to see upcoming courses:
Sign up for our newsletter to stay informed.
Who’s it for?
It is suitable for anyone looking to join in with the Holy Spirit’s re-imagining of a new way of being church together: PCC members, area and lay deans, parish priests, diocesan advisers, pioneers lay and ordained. If you have previously completed the First Steps course this course is the perfect follow up. However, you don’t have to complete the First Steps course to take part. If you’re not sure if the course is suitable for you, email us on pioneering.parishes@churchmissionsociety.org
What can I expect?
Each webinar is 90 minutes and contains teaching, guest speakers and break out rooms. In an informal, warm, fun and open environment that draws on all the wisdom in the room. As we listen to one another we’ll listen for God’s voice and trust the Holy Spirit to be leading each of us in our unique contexts.
What content will be covered?
- Session 1: Life Cycle and Leadership
- We begin by considering what time it is in our congregation in terms of its life cycle and the way in which church leadership takes on a different expression at each stage. Together we consider a framework which shows leadership is shaped by the cycle of development within a church congregation
- Session 2: Parish Cultivation
Building on the life cycle metaphor, we will explore the cultivation of a parish through an inclusive process of communal spiritual discernment. Exploring a practical tool to invite your church community into communal spiritual discernment about what God would have us do. - Session 3: What kind of innovation do we want?
Offering a tool for conversation which helps leaders and congregations discern what kind of innovation we want. Some forms of change will only sustain what already is, while some innovation helps unlock the possibilities of the future. - Session 4: Perspective from the margin
Drawing on the insights from innovation within the charity sector, we look at change from the perspective of pioneers and how church leaders can support their unique contribution to God’s work. We will look at our current landscape through the eyes of the pioneers, gaining understanding which enables church leaders to collaborate with them.
How much does it cost?
We would hate cost to be a barrier to anyone attending so we charge just £10 for the four webinars in total.
If you bring a team, the maximum your church will pay is for five spaces (£50), any additional participants are free.
The real cost for the facilitation and materials is much higher, so if you feel able to contribute a little more you will be helping to support the continuing work of Pioneering Parishes.
Previous participants’ comments
Fantastic course – well worth doing! Will be recommending churches in Diocese of Bristol to engage with all of Pioneering Parishes material.
Rosy Ashley, Adviser for Parish Development, Diocese of Bristol
Very helpful course in providing different ways of conducting conversations around change.
Ali Middleton, Pioneer Oversight Minister, Cornerstone Mission, Rotherham.
Feedback from our previous courses shows that more than 80 percent of attendees said they were likely or highly likely to recommend it to someone else.
