All over Britain, Christians are finding fresh ways of making the gospel relevant to people in their communities. The Pioneer Disciple is a one year part-time course which aims to equip people to shape the life of their church in new ways.
The course has been adapted from the mission shaped ministry (msm) course, which is based on a course developed in Lincolnshire by Anglican Church Planting Initiatives and the Ground Level Network. It has been further developed by Fresh Expressions, in partnership with a number of national networks and agencies.
In Devon, the msm course has been adapted by the Diocese of Exeter and the Plymouth and Exeter Methodist District, to become The Pioneer Disciple. A similar adaptation of the course is now also being offered in Taunton, in partnership with the Diocese of Bath and Wells.
WHO IS IT FOR?
People who want to be part of mission-shaped churches.
Christians who need to rediscover the true meaning of God’s mission in the world.
Those who have lost confidence in the church and its future, and want to find that confidence again.
Lay people and Christian ministers.
Local church leaders who want to explore different ways of ‘being the church’ in our cultural setting.
People in urban, suburban and rural settings.
Members of any denomination.
WHAT WILL WE LEARN?
The qualities and characteristics of Christian discipleship.
Listening to God
while also listening to today’s cultural context.
The Christian calling to share in God's mission.
The nature and purpose of the Church.
Growing new Christians and making disciples.
How to begin and sustain a Fresh Expression of church.
WHAT ARE ITS KEY FEATURES?
Designed to fit in with the other commitments of your life.
Taught by a mix of local, regional and national staff.
Learning through reflection on your context and your Christian journey.
Connected to spirituality, prayer and worship.
Offers ongoing practical mentoring support for new ventures.
Access to a growing on-line resource guide.
Varied teaching approaches catering for different learning styles.
Leads to membership of an ongoing learning community supporting each other in Christian mission.
The Pioneer Disciple will be offered in Barnstaple starting on April 21 2008, and in Plymouth the course started on March 31 2008. The Taunton course started on Saturday February 2, 2008. Printable programmes and dates for the Barnstaple and Plymouth courses and a detailed description of the teaching syllabus of The Pioneer Disciple are available to download as PDF files below.
DOWNLOADS (PDF FILES)
To register your interest in taking part in The Pioneer Disciple, please download and fill in the relevant registration form (available below) and send it to the address indicated there. For further information please contact our Evangelism Enabler
Dave Martin or District Training and Development Officer
Keith Elliott.
REGISTRATION FORMS (WORD DOCUMENTS)
