jonnybaker

end of 2021 playlists

as always a couple of playlists at the end of the year. i listen to quite a lot of quiet instrumental music and find that makes for a better experience as its own playlist rather than mixed in with the other tunes hence there are two. i have added them on apple music and spotify. there is one tune that spotify didn't have so apple win that contest!

• 2021 tunes - apple 
• 2021 tunes - spotify
• 2021 horizontal - apple
• 2021 horizontal - spotify

towards a pioneering diocese

in pioneer practice one of the themes i explore is change. for those who see new possibilities and make new paths to make what they see happen (i call them pioneers) they almost invariably find themselves navigating change in a wider system or organisation. this is as true of pioneers in the church as it is elsewhere. in research i did with pioneers which is in the book the top answer given as to what is most likely to derail pioneering was the powers that be. and yet in my experience very little training is given on systems and culture change and how to navigate those powers. we do some in leadership at cms but i think we could do more. there is actually quite a bit written in this area around organisations which are somewhat different and there are definitely insights to be gleaned though not everything translates - this piece in anvil is excellent by way of example. i have been reading quite a lot in this area recently as it seems to me that not just pioneers but a lot of leadership now at least in the church space requires this ability to navigate change, adaptability, resourcefulness, flexibility, imagination, awareness of systems and culture change and so on. and yet leaders are largely trained to lead worship, teach, do pastoral care and so forth. 

all that is to say i was delighted to read a blog post by tina hodgett on enabling culture change in a diocese in the church of england towards a pioneering culture. her blog has a series of 16 suggestions and the gold is further developed in the attached paper which you can download at the bottom of the article. whether dioceses have the appetite for this i am less sure but i hope some might! anyway it's definitely worth a read and trying to provoke a conversation about if you are involved in a diocese. tina worked in diocesan structures in bath and wells diocese so it comes from her own experience and learned wisdom.

the pioneer journey - graduation 2021

huge congratulations to cms pioneers who graduated yesterday. it was wonderful to be able to celebrate with a mix of on site and online (the new hybrid normal). two also became lay pioneers in the church of england admitted by bishop guli of chelmsford. every year since we started graduations we have given students a tile made by artist iain cotton. there are now eight iterations of it which is fun - it has a life as a project that continues... the tiles always mark a pioneer journey on a landscape - making a way where there is no way. this year's has a boat crossing a sea and the jounrey is graced with a touch of gold. iain has done such a great job with these and this year's is just beautiful. if you want one come and study a course with us at cms pioneer mission leadership training!!!

nine - grace this saturday

we've had a lot of fun at grace with nine over the years - respinning the traditional readings and carols with nine readings and tunes. it will be live in ealing at st mary's but it will also be online - hybrid and all that. if you want to join online let me know and i can send the link.

gather wilderness june 2-5

after last years gather event online we have decided to gather in person this year making the most of the double bank holiday first weekend in june courtesy of the queen. it's in a beautiful location and that time of year the weather should be great for camping and hanging out. we have worked out we can make it work for about £100 a head which we hope is doable. it's family friendly too.

more details and book here

we have an amazing site organised on anglesey in wales, with breath-taking views and sunsets, where we will gather around conversation, fireside inspirational talks and family activities. it's a chance to recharge, reconnect, be inspired. it's an opportunity for bringing conversations together around pioneering activities, enterprise and community building. it is a space that you can connect with others - friends old and new.

 

as well as the hanging out we'll have a few speakers, hosted conversations, a dj, acoustic musicians, a small local bar, foraging activities, local beach walks and activities for young people.

 

i cannot wait! hope you can make it 

 

we will also be hosting conversations days again this year both in the north and south of england in april with an online option to boot so this is not replacing those in case you were wondering. more info on that in the new year.