Congregational Life Ministries is offering three new webinars on the topic of church pioneering. The webcast presenters are leaders from the Anabaptist Network in the United Kingdom, an organization that models dynamic ministry strategies and creative processes for new church development. The three webinars are hosted by the Church of the Brethren and organized together with Urban Expression, Bristol Baptist, and BMS World Mission.
The webinars are free. Ministers who attend the live events may earn 0.15 continuing education units for each webinar. Participants can register to attend the live events or to receive a link to a recording of the webcasts.
“Pioneers–Embracing the Unknown” is the title of a webinar on Oct. 24 led by Juliet Kilpin. “It takes a skillful initiator to replicate a model of church or mission from one context into another,” said a description of the event, “but it takes a creative, courageous, risk-taking pioneer to imagine something that has not yet been and form it into being. In the rapidly changing context of western societies, how can we identify, equip and deploy pioneers who will not just replicate, but will prophetically lead us into the unknown, exploring fresh ways of being missional communities? And why is it important that we do this?”
“Joining Jesus Outside the Camp: Pioneering God–Pioneering People of God” is the title of a webinar on Nov. 14 with Steve Finamore. “The biblical narrative centers on people and places who were found at the margins,” said the description. “It tells the story of God’s adventure in those margins. It summons God’s people to join Messiah Jesus outside the camp. The Bible promotes an understanding of God as one who forsakes the center in order to catalyze life in unexpected places and in new patterns; patterns which are both valuable in their own right and which also point beyond themselves to the fullness of God’s impending reign.”
“Pioneering in a Global Context” is the topic of a webinar on Dec. 11 led by David Kerrigan. “Throughout the centuries pioneers have taken the gospel of Jesus Christ into new places and different cultures,” said a description. “Some of these are well known and their stories have been forgotten. What can we learn from these pioneers and from those who are pioneering in different global contexts today?”
Webinars will take place at 2-4 p.m. (Eastern time) for participants in the United States, or 7:30-9 p.m. for participations in the UK. Register for the webinars at www.brethren.org/webcasts . Donations are accepted to help support the webinars.
For more information contact Stan Dueck, the Church of the Brethren’s director of Transforming Practices, at sdueck@brethren.org or 800-323-8039 ext. 343.