tuesday was the last teaching day for a group of pioneers at cms who are finishing their diploma in mission, theology and ministry. we have graduation yet to come in july and there are also some certificate and MA students who will be finishing. they have been with us for three years.
as part of the last day i interviewed them to try and reflect with them on the journey and how the training might have helped them and what they felt looking back on it. i ended up going home that day elated because they were all so positive about the impact that being with us at cms pioneer training has had on their lives and how changed they have been by it and i am sure they were being honest - at least no bribes were involved! i love what i do - at times it is really hard work - but tuesday reminded me what a privilege it is. pioneers are an amazing gift to the church and indeed to any area of society - i find them so inspiring. i only wish the church realised that in a few more places and realigned towards encouraging and supporting them more often.
it's the time of year where we are also gearing up for next (academic) year and are thinking about who will start that journey with us to do some modules, a diploma, BA, certificate or MA. the model of training is that students come to us one day a week in term time and the rest of the time are in a context doing pioneer stuff and/or working alongside that. we have an open day next week - it's not too late to book in. but if you can't make that contact me and come and see us. all our awards are with durham university so it's top notch.
we have a new pathway for pioneer youth ministers and children and family workers which is a certificate in mission, ministry and theology with particular modules for those specialisms. if you are involved in those come and be part of the first year to do it. so many pioneers i know are youth ministers or began doing what they do with young people. that was the case for me certainly and in many ways i think this current movement can trace its roots to youth ministry. i wrote three articles a few years back on pioneer youth ministry for youthwork magazine - here's the first second and third if you're interested in what that is all about have a read and then come and join us.
this video is our attempt to summarise what the course is all about if you want a 4 minute version
Why do we need mission pioneers? from Church Mission Society on Vimeo.