Pioneering Parishes: First Steps

A series of four webinars which help ordained and lay people discover pioneering; what it is (Perhaps challenging some stereotypes?) and why it’s integral to parish life. Case studies and ideas are shared along with practical tools, enabling churches to begin to consider how they can shift their energy outwards into the community without increasing workload.

Who’s it for?

This series of webinars is for the Diocese of Oxford: PCC members, parish clergy, volunteers involved in parish mission and outreach, those exploring a pioneer call, diocesan or parish staff and anyone searching for tools to help them shift the energy of the parish outwards beyond the church walls or effect and embed culture change.

What can I expect?

Each webinar is 90 minutes and contains teaching, break out room discussions, and stories from guests who share how they have enabled something new to grow up. You will receive a fresh set of lenses for viewing parish life and hear case studies from practitioners from around the diocese, in an informal, warm, fun and open environment.

What content will be covered?

Over the four webinars, we will have conversations about the key strategic tasks for parish life:

Adopting shared values with the church and community as a basis for all decision making.

Shaping a missional consensus and prioritising agreed principles over personal preference.

Enabling a re-directing of resources towards those who are unconnected.

Enabling those with a specific call to pioneering and/or advocating for pioneering.

Fostering an environment where new ideas and innovation are welcomed.

Fostering a risk taking culture, and letting go of control.

When is it?

The next course begins on Monday 3 June and is for a total of four sessions:

Dates: 3, 17 June and 1, 15 July 2024

Times: Each session begins at 7.30 pm and continues to 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 this is too much for anyone, please contact emma.firth@oxford.anglican.org for a bursary.

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 one week before the start of the event.

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: 27 May 2024 (Group Bookings 22 May 2024)

Previous participants’ comments:

‘Inspirational!’

Alis Mascarenhas, PCC member, St Mary’s Brighstone churchyard project

‘I joined the first Pioneering Parish course to find out how I could support our pioneer minister…I never thought I’d now be spending most of the week serving and sharing God’s love with 800 families across our twinned parishes.’

Roger Hutton, church warden, St Philip’s Cosham

Please visit our webpage and perhaps sign up for our Newsletter, or follow us on Facebook and Instagram: www.pioneeringparishes.org

Ticket sales have ended

Pioneering Parishes: First Steps - 4 session webinar