Pioneering Parishes: Culture Change in Practice – 4 session webinar

Pioneering Parishes: Culture Change in Practice

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. Participants receive tools to enable lasting culture change.

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, particularly 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, please email us: pioneering.parishes@churchmissionsociety.org

What can I expect?

Each webinar is 90 minutes and contains teaching and a time in break out rooms, all 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: 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.

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: An Abundant Mindset

Offering a tool from the charity sector which helps leaders and congregations to have constructive conversations about our capacity to do things. This tool helps us to have conversations about what we need to stop doing and how we can release energy for things which enable us to engage the unconnected people we want to attract.

When is it?

The course begins on Tuesday, 14 January and is for a total of four sessions:

Dates: 14, 28 January and 11, 25 February 2025

Times: Each session begins at 7.30 pm and continues until 9.00 pm

NB: The first session starts 15 minutes early

Where is it? Takes place via Zoom

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. After we receive notification of a group booking we will email you a Booking Form, which enables us to ensure all attendees receive the relevant communications about the event. This form must be returned 1 week prior to the start date.

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.

Ticket sales close: 7 January 2025! (Group Bookings: 1 January 2025)

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 show that more than 80 percent of attendees said they were likely or highly likely to recommend it to someone else.

Book your place now!

Please visit our website, sign up for our newsletter, follow us on Facebook and Instagram to keep up to date with our latest news, events and tools.