The highly successful Fresh Expressions mission shaped ministry course, which helps Christians to reach those not involved in traditional churches, is to run in Glasgow from January 2010.
The one year, part-time mission shaped ministry course looks at how to start and sustain, what are known as fresh expressions of church. It has been established jointly between several Scottish denominations with a growing and broader ownership across the major Church movements and denominations.
The course will take place at Renfield St Stephen’s Church, 260 Bath St, Glasgow, from 30th January. The 24-unit course is presented over three Saturdays (9am to 5pm), seven Wednesdays (7.30pm to 9.30pm) and a residential weekend (23rd-25th April) at the MacDonald Aviemore Highland Resort. It will finish on 27th November 2010.
A course also starts in Inverness from 16th January 2010.
This course is designed for laity, clergy and for all trained church leaders. Small groups from a congregation are particularly welcome as this may well deepen the impact of the course and better equip existing fellowships. Some may already be involved in a fresh expression, others committed to exploring the idea.
The cost of the course is £250 which covers all materials, refreshments and the residential weekend away (some financial assistance may be available).
The course hosts are David Currie and Alan McWilliam. Course teachers include both national experts, such as John Drane and Peter Neilson, as well as local teachers Alan McWilliam, Paul Ede and Duncan Macpherson.
Martin Scott, Secretary, Ministries Council, Church of Scotland, said:
This course comes at just the right time for us. We are involved in a major review of ministries training, and through the work of our Emerging Ministries Task Group, we are also beginning to support a variety of new models of church around Scotland.
Major Graham Mizon, Divisional Director for Evangelism, East of Scotland Division, Salvation Army, added:
The Church has, to a large degree, disengaged itself from the communities it is called to serve. If our evangelistic efforts are to be effective we need to sharpen up our skills and face up to the real issues that face us.
Keith Short, Pastor, Barton Baptist Church Leader, Scottish Network of Churches, commented:
At a time when the Church in this nation is facing decline it is time that we rediscovered something of the original mandate given to it by Jesus; a mandate to go and make disciples.
Andy Scarcliffe, Mission Adviser, Baptist Union Scotland, said:
We are at a crossroads in the life of the Church in our land. The challenge is to engage with a culture that has walked away from Church, but is deeply interested in spiritual things. I know of no other course which will more effectively equip people at many levels, to 'do' church in a way that reaches our culture.
To find out more, contact Catherine McIntosh on cmkintosh@cofscotland.org.uk or 0131 225 5722 ext 415, or David Currie, Church of Scotland Emerging Church Development Officer on dcurrie@cofscotland.org.uk.
For general information on msm, visit the mission shaped ministry website.
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