Resources

Resources

Mission is learning. Are you curious about different cultures? Looking for insights from the edges? Go on a learning journey with us with these free resources.

CMS Magazine and Prayerlines

Anvil

Our journal of theology and mission helps you think deeper about mission today

More resources from our archive

The sharing of Christ’s sufferings

A CMS Presence reflection for Lent 2024 by Ian Adams

Video: What does it mean to go to the edges?

The edges are where Jesus is bringing new life. And where we want to be. Together.

Open hands

A CMS Presence resource to assist in nurturing prayerful presence

Video: Together to the edges

Global voices come together in this short video by our partners from around the world.

CMS Magazine Summer 2023

All the stories from the Summer 2023 edition in one place

Working on our posture:

Activist and author Shane Claiborne paid a visit to Church Mission Society for a lively conversation about mission.

Video: Jay Mātenga interview

Jay Mātenga shares his personal backstory as well as the richness that comes from Indigenous perspectives on faith.

Video: Easter message from CEO Alastair Bateman

In the Garden of Gethsemane, we get a glimpse of what it means to say “Jesus never gives up”.

Video: Change of a dress

Meet Maria Skoyles, CEO of the Dorcas Dress Project, and a CMS Pioneer MA student.

Video: Grounded in not knowing

Mining ancient apophatic traditions, finding energy and wisdom for pioneering sacred terrain.

Video: Sustainable communities

Alison Webster on cultivating and nurturing habits to challenge power and change the world

Video: Sustainable Planet

The video recording of Israel's plenary session at the 2022 CMS Conversations Day.

Video: Views from the edges – Bahrain

Learn how believers from a Muslim background are growing as disciples thanks to a partnership between CMS and Together Network.

Video: Not giving up on peace: meet Joan Busolo

Joan Busolo, CMS manager in Africa, speaks about her own journey as a disciple of Jesus and how discipleship and peacemaking are intimately linked.

Video: You will find us at the edges

A poem by Kate Fox-Robinson captures the spirit of Church Mission Society's renewed vision and purpose.

How to… keep mission on the agenda

CMS advocates are working hard to keep local and global mission high on the agenda within their churches.

Stay with us: stability and momentum through change

Ian Adams explores the Emmaus story as a guide for living through constantly changing times

How to… build a missional community

Paul Bradbury chooses "five smooth stones" to help us build sustainable groups of disciples with a purpose.

How to… be caught being Christian

We tend to exhibit our faith when we go to church, but for the rest of the time it largely remains hidden, says Nigel Rooms.

Just Imagine – Afrofuturism

Lusa Nsenga-Ngoy, BAME mission and ministry enabler for Leicester Diocese, talks of imagination as a desire to live in a transformed world.

Just Imagine – highlights part 2

"Break the rules!" Highlights from the Just Imagine series of webinars hosted by Jonny Baker and friends in January 2021.

Video: Just Imagine – highlights part 1

Do you consider yourself creative? That is a question Jonny Baker, director of mission education at CMS, explored in a series of webinars earlier this year, Just Imagine.

How to…share your faith in Jesus

Paul Thaxter shares five handy disciplines to help each of us to share good news in our contexts.

How to… use your imagination

Many people think creativity is a gift you either have or you don’t. But, says Jonny Baker, it's a more like a muscle we all need to exercise.

A Guide to Creative Conversations

A new practical resource for use in all kinds of mission and church situations.

The spirituality of fundraising

Spirituality. Fundraising. In the same sentence? Really? Why should we ask for money? Why do we give, as a response to the asking?

How to… establish an ethical business

Tim Thorlby on the lessons learned by Clean for Good, a social business giving cleaners a better deal.

A new psalm of lament

Join us in offering this psalm of lament for the nations of North Africa, written by one of our mission partners.

Video: The power of love in Lebanon

Meet our local partners Emil and Reem Bourizk who have set up a school for Syrian refugee children in their home in Lebanon, helping to transform a situation of trauma, hopelessness and enmity.

How to… challenge cultural norms

Culture - famously - "eats strategy for breakfast". So when trying to bring change, it makes sense to pay attention to social norms in play.

How to… cross cultures with beautiful feet

Rev Sameh Metry, a church leader in west London, shares what he has learned about sharing Jesus in interfaith contexts.

Video: Dave Bookless – The Earth is the Lord’s

Dave Bookless says: "When Christians take the earth seriously, people take the gospel seriously."

Creation Care: a biblical reflection

At a key moment in the story of humanity's engagement with the earth and her creatures, Ian Adams reflects on Genesis.

How to… do pioneering mission with people of all seasons

David Palmer, former CMS Pioneer student, shares his learning from working with older people in Market Harborough

How to… engage effectively with humanitarian organisations

NGOs and faith communities alike need to critically reflect on their own imposed values and practices, says Fiona Kelling

Audio: Prayer exercises by Ian Adams

Now with added series of prayers exploring movement, sound and paradox in prayer. Also includes praying with the parables and the seasons.

How to… do mission in the face of depression

Here I am, clinically depressed and STILL a mission partner, doing my best to go forward with life and mission amid many questions. 

How to… put women in our rightful place

Tara Martin reflects on how the church can model gender equality.

How to… innovate the future

Innovation is what happens when God’s future comes head to head with the present, says the Rev Dr Michael Moynagh.

Dwelling in the Word

One of the key spiritual practices of Partnership for Missional Church.

How to… pioneer mission on a new housing estate

By Ali Boulton, pioneer mission enabler

How to… notice what God is up to

Become a detective of divinity!

How to… cope with disabled dreams

"My disablements are all part of God’s calling on my life"

How to… be a change maker

Jane Jerrard spent two decades in Pakistan, working with marginalised local people to accomplish goals they never thought possible.

How to… start a missional community

Andrea Campanale of Sacred Space Kingston shares her learning

Being sent in mission: an African perspective

By Dr Harvey Kwiyani, head of Missio Africanus and part of the Church Mission Society Pioneer Mission Leadership Training course faculty