New Churches gathering

Leading or birthing a New Church or Christian community can be a joyous but also exhausting and isolating experience. This morning is an opportunity for you to spend quality time with the growing network of fellow pioneers following similar callings in other places across or affiliated to Sheffield Methodist District.

There will be opportunities to share stories, compare what you are learning in a supportive environment, discuss what support you need, and celebrate what God is doing.

Our guest speaker will be Rev Simon Sutcliffe, Free Church Chaplain at Keele University. Simon was one of the first Venture FX pioneer ministers in the Methodist Church, helping to form immerse, a missional community in North Staffordshire. He has also been Tutor for Evangelism and Pioneering Ministries at the Queen's Foundation. Simon is a published theologian in the areas of pioneer ministry, Fresh Expressions, missiology and contextual theology. More recently his research areas are in theologies of masculinities and the intersection between theology and Feminist New Materialism (Don't ask him about dead whales!). He is passionate about helping those on a spiritual quest to think more deeply about the complexities of faith, and to help people of faith think more radically about the faith we have inherited. He also grows a lot of stuff in his garden.

Dinnington Methodists and Peter Farmer, their recently appointed community pioneer, will be our hosts and will lead us in worship and tell us of their plans to create safe spaces for marginalized people to explore faith and feel a sense of belonging.

This event is for anyone who is involved in leading (in any capacity), or preparing to lead, a new Christian community. Not just the “person in charge”, if you have one.

Please register if you are coming, so we can plan the event and catering accordingly, and do invite other members of your team.

Start – 9:30 for 10:00am

Finish – soup lunch from 12:30pm, ending by 1:30pm