There are four Streams with each stream represented in each slot. You do not have to stick to one stream - you can mix and match.These sessions will be 1 hour allowing for transition time
A bite-sized introduction to a way of engaging in mission in rural context using the leader's story as a spring board. There will be a take away challenge to ‘have a go’ at thinking through what mission might look like in their locality in this context, with resource & course links to help them on their way.”
A similar practical approach to above but focussed on mission among younger generations
Each of the 4 different case studies in this stream offers a different story and a different approach to being a rural resourcing church.. Understand the perspective of pioneer leaders and the pros and cons of the models they tried. Make contacts to help you think through what kind of rural resourcing church might fit the need in a place you know .
How do old and new styles of church and mission complement each other? Learn from some analyical thinkers on 22nd. On 23rd contribute your ideas to help co-imagine what sort of national framework or culture would release rural mission regardmess of denomination or stream.
22nd | BREAKOUT SESSION TITLE AND DESCRIPTOR | LEADERS |
a) We could do that! | a) Sowing, Nurturing, Flowering, Fruit – Lauren found this Suffolk discipleship pathway was transformational in her rural ministry. Here she shares the difference it makes when Christian communities seek to walk alongside others in their journey of faith | Lauren Moore |
b) Growing Younger | b) Rise and Shine – Serving Rural Primary Schools – Sharing experience from rural Leicestershire | Potting Shed Team |
c) Rural Resourcing Churches | c) The Forest Heath Story so far: A Model for areas of New Housing in rural areas | Diane Grano |
d) Mixed Ecology Strategy | d) What's In Our Hands? Lessons from SDF-funded projects in eight rural dioceses | Richard Tiplady |
a) We could do that! | a) Top Tips for Thriving in a Rural Multiparish Benefice – Every rural context is different… but what are the challenges which rural multiparish benefices have in common – and how can we thrive within them Rural Team Rector X will share stories and top tips from his own ministry and enable participants to share with each other. | TBC |
a) We could do that! | a)i) Discovery Bible Study in Rural Areas Sammy Jordan has the bonkers dream of praying for every street and reaching every home in the UK with the good news about Jesus by the end of 2038. It starts where Sammy leads The Clockhouse, a new worshipping community. Seven of Sammy’s neighbours became Christians last year through an approach to reading the Bible called the Discovery method. Sammy will share what it is, more of her story and how others have used this approach in a rural context. | Sammy Jordan (Director of Hope for Every Home at Hope Together) |
b) Growing Younger | b)Youth work from scratch Edward Land is pioneering in the small rural market town of Bungay, leading the Lightwave Hub which has a vision of bringing the Light, Life & Hope of Jesus to young people. This seminar will help you think about how you can start youth work in context with lower population, discipleship pathways and how to keep going, as well as providing you with some practical ideas and resources to take away. | Edward Land (Leader of the Lightwave Hub Bungay ) |
c) Rural Resourcing Churches | c) The Alcester Minster Story -A Rural Minster Model Rev Katie Cross and Rev Daniel Corlett share the story of the rural mission hub they lead for Coventry Diocese, based around a minster family of churches. Three years into a five-year project they will share their learning and reflections on what has helped to support rural churches so far and what challenges for the future they have identified. | Daniel Corlett & Katie Cross |
d) Mixed Ecology Strategy | d) Benefice of the Future to Growing Rural Parishes - Learning and reflecting on encouraging flourishing rural Churches from the Diocese of Winchester. Rural minister, Simon Butler will share key learnings across 8 years worth of focussed rural multi-parish benefice innovation and strategic development drawing on the 'Benefice of the Future' and 'Growing Rural Parishes' projects. We'll explore issues such as re-energising mission, developing local leadership, creating shared ministry across parishes, building effective administrative and communications support and changing the narrative from scarcity to abundance. | Simon Butler |
22nd | BREAKOUT SESSION TITLE AND DESCRIPTOR | |
a) We could do that! | a) Hospitality at the Place by the Water | Kathy Wilson |
b) Growing Younger | b) Engaging with Preschool Children and Families in Rural Areas Rural outreach pioneer and ex-headteacher, Alson Earl explores ways to build a warm, welcoming community where families and friends gather with their preschool children to find care, support, and grow in confidence and often find faith too. Through joyful, fun-filled experiences, the love of Jesus can be shared and faith can flourish. | Alison Earl |
c) Rural Resourcing Churches | c) The Potting Shed Church Story – Alison Jones shares the story of planting “the Potting Shed” a Rural Resourcing Church in rural Nottinghamshire. | Alison Jones & Others |
d) Mixed Ecology Strategy | d) Towards a Framework for Releasing Creativity in Rural Mission. Bishop Richard is currently the Church of England Lead on rural issues in the House of Lords. He writes “Mission today often feels like a tension between national strategy and local practice. In this session we we’ll be mainly in listening mode seeking to reflect on your local experiences of effective mission and how they might better inform the national picture.” | Bishop Richard and friends |
a) We could do that! | a) Big dreams are great, but it is the small start that matters | Bob Goody (Rural Missions) |
b) Growing Younger | c) Rural and Wild – Join Sarah Hulme and Yaz Finch as we share stories of how getting outside can reconnect communities with God, nature and each other. This session will bring encouragement, inspiration (and sample risk assessments!) for church communities in rural contexts wanting to give it a go | Sarah Hulme & Yaz Finch (Methodist Rural Officer & Mission Enabler) |
c) Rural Resourcing Churches | c) "Small boats and harbours - an experiment in sustainable rural church" | Pete & Kath Atkins and Andy Toyne (Threshold) |
d) Mixed Ecology Strategy | d) Framework for Resourcing Rural Mission (repeat) Bishop Richard is currently the Church of England Lead on rural issues in the House of Lords. He writes “Mission today often feels like a tension between national strategy and local practice. In this session we we’ll be mainly in listening mode seeking to reflect on your local experiences of effective mission and how they might better inform the national picture.” | Bishop Richard and friends |
