Norfolk first for new mission training course

Norfolk is to be one of the first regions in the UK to make available a new training course aimed at equipping people across the churches to engage in mission.

All over Britain, Christians are beginning fresh expressions of church for our changing culture. Mission-Shaped Ministry is a one-year part-time course which aims to equip people to meet the challenge of making the Christian faith accessible to those with little or no church background.

The course has been developed by Fresh Expressions, an initiative established by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the national leadership of the Methodist Church, in partnership with a number of other national networks and mission agencies.

Mission Shaped Ministry is based on a course offered in Lincolnshire for a number of years developed by Anglican Church Planting Initiatives and the Ground Level Network.

Norfolk will be one of the first areas in the country to make this course available from January 2007 held at The Well Christian Centre, Ashill.

The course will be led by Stephen Mawditt, minister of the Fountain of Life, a missionary congregation of the Church of England, and Jane Loades, the Methodist District Evangelism Enabler.

Stephen said: "The call issued by Jesus Christ to go and make disciples is unchanging; the invitation Jesus calls us to extend is the same; but how do we respond to that call and present that invitation most effectively in our changing world today? That’s the challenge which this course seeks to address. We will hugely benefit from the expertise of the Fresh Expressions team – an opportunity not to be missed."

The course has been backed by senior local church leaders. The Rt Revd Graham James, Bishop of Norwich, said: “The Mission Shaped Ministry Course comes at a time when there is fresh impetus being given to help the Church connect with our changing culture. I hope very much that establishing national and local experience will enable us to make the good news of Jesus Christ and His kingdom more relevant to the communities we serve.”

Revd Graham Thompson, Chair of the East Anglia District of the Methodist Church, said: “I’m delighted to commend the Mission Shaped Ministry Course to all who want to be effective in the 21^st century. It is a gift to be enjoyed and received with gratitude.”

Course dates for 2007 are:

Saturday 20^th January, Tuesday 6^th February, Tuesday 6^th March, Tuesday 24^th April, Saturday 19^th May, Tuesday 5^th June, Tuesday 3^rd July, Residential weekend: 21^st, 22^nd, 23^rd September, Tuesday 16^th October, Tuesday 13^th November, Tuesday 4^th December

Saturdays run from 9.30am to 4.30pm and Tuesdays run from 7.30pm to 9.30pm both at The Well Christian Centre, Swaffham Road, Ashill, IP25 7BT. The residential weekend takes place at The Pleasaunce, Overstrand Nr. Cromer.

The course cost of £250 covers all materials, refreshments and the residential

weekend away.

For further details please contact course adminIstrator: Jessica Glauert, 11 Cambridge Street, Norwich NR2 2BA. Tel: 01603 630517; email: jessica.glauert@ntlworld.com

Pictured above is Rev Stephen Mawditt.