New school for pioneer lay leaders in London

The term pioneer was coined to define someone who may not be church staff but was passionate about Christian mission through creative means.

The School of Pioneers is a joint initiative of The Centre for Church Planting and Growth and Church Mission Society and aims to lead to “new churches, for new people in new places” across London.

It’s been sparked by a surprise rise in church attendance in the capital.

The latest electoral roll figures for 2017 show a 13% growth in church membership in London since 2012 which bucks a national trend of declining numbers.

The School of Pioneers, which has the backing of the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd Sarah Mullally, will offer formal training to lay people and hopes to reach a generation who have grown up in a post-Christian culture.

The school will offer pioneers the chance to understand their vocation and gain the expertise, experience and understanding to help them launch and lead fresh expressions of church, including missional communities, community projects and entrepreneurships across the diocese.
 
The Rt Revd Ric Thorpe, Bishop of Islington and leader of the Centre for Church Planting and Growth, commented:

“I am excited by the potential of our partnership with CMS. We are working to encourage a culture of pioneering through church plants, fresh expressions and missional communities throughout the diocese

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