msm Lincolnshire

We are delighted to make the mission shaped ministry course available in Lincolnshire once again as an effective means of training all God’s people further in mission. The course is now established in over 20 locations nationally and over 1,000 people have been part of a local course.

The Lincolnshire 2009/10 course is offered with the rural nature of the county in mind. This is reflected in the teaching locations, the material, the case studies we present and the teachers we use. This year's course is for anyone in market towns, villages or hamlets who are embarking on a fresh expression of church or who wish to see their church be more effective in mission. The principles taught would also be most useful in an urban context but those participants who come from large conurbations might need to do some translation!

Lincolnshire msm is offered by Ground Level and has the full support of the Diocese of Lincoln, the Lincoln and Grimsby District of the Methodist Church, and the Fresh Expressions group of Churches Together in All Lincolnshire.

This course is designed for laity, clergy and for all trained church leaders. Whilst individuals are most welcome, we encourage teams to attend together as they can more effectively apply what is learned to their particular situation.

The course staff team are Pete and Kath Atkins, Simon and Ann Baker, Graham and Molly Bell, Liz Childs, Ian Brown and others. Course teachers are drawn from a wide field of national and local expertise and this year will include people with particular rural experience.

Contact

Kath Atkins
53 Sudbrooke Lane, Nettleham, Lincoln, LN2 2RW
kathatkins@ntlworld.com
01522 856391

Course timetable and venue

Residential weekend May 15th-17th 2009

Monday June 15th 2009 (Louth) or Tuesday June 16th 2009 (Sleaford)
Monday July 20th 2009 (Louth) or Tuesday July 14th 2009 (Sleaford)

Saturday Sept 19th 2009

Monday Nov 2nd 2009 (Louth) or Tuesday Nov 3rd 2009 (Sleaford)
Monday Nov 30th 2009 (Louth) or Tuesday Dec 1st 2009 (Sleaford)

Saturday Jan 16th 2010

Monday Feb 1st 2010 (Louth) or Tuesday Feb 2nd 2010 (Sleaford)
Monday March 1st 2010 (Louth) or Tuesday March 2nd 2010 (Sleaford)

Saturday March 20th 2010

Saturdays run from 9.30am-4.30pm at Horncastle Methodist Church, Queen Street, Horncastle, LN9 6BD
Mondays run from 7.45-10pm at Nicol Hill Methodist Church, Louth, LN11 9NQ
Tuesdays run from 7.45-10pm at New Life Centre, Mareham Lane, Sleaford NG34 7JP

Residential weekend at The Hayes Conference Centre, Swanwick DE55 1AU

Course participants will meet all together at the residential weekend and on each Saturday. They will choose which centre to access for weeknight evenings.

Cost

The cost of the course is £250 which covers all materials, refreshments and the residential weekend away.

Commendations

The mission shaped ministry course originated in Lincolnshire. It was born from passionate faith and imaginative vision. God's Spirit is very much at work continually reshaping our mission and ministry, and this year the course reflects the predominantly rural nature of Lincolnshire and is tailored to our particular needs. I commend it wholeheartedly to everyone who has a heart for our Christian presence in the countryside. Please consider making it a fundamental part of your strategic mission planning for this year.

David Perry, Chair of Lincoln and Grimsby Methodist District

Most people associate rural life with traditional ways of doing things, and this includes things to do with the Church. But traditional ways can always benefit from a spring clean and, of course, fresh expressions of church can be effective in the countryside just as in the town. This course, which began in Lincolnshire, now enjoys a national reputation and I encourage you to take full advantage of this opportunity to participate this year.

John Saxbee, Bishop of Lincoln

It is essential that we explore ways of renewing the church in rural areas and developing models to ensure that a Christian presence is maintained. msm Lincolnshire 2009/10 is an opportunity to learn and explore together for
all those who are committed to establishing effective and authentic church across this county. I commend it to you.

Stuart Bell, Leader of Ground Level Network