Church seeks pioneers to reach out to young adults

The Methodist Church has approved a major new initiativedesigned to reach out to those with no experience of church,especially young adults.

The Pioneering Ministries scheme will see the establishment of newChristian communities and congregations in a variety of locationsfrom city centre and suburban areas to more rural settings.

There will initially be twenty new projects, with the firstbeginning as early as possible in 2009. Each project will bedesigned to serve the spiritual and practical needs of those whohave previously had little or no experience of Church.

Although the projects are envisioned as eventually becomingindependent, the scheme will involve a major investment of Churchresources and funds, with an initial setup cost of more than£4.3m.

Revd Graham Horsley, Secretary for Evangelism and Church Planting,says; 'This is clearly a risky strategy, but sometimes the Churchis called to take risks. In saying "yes" to pioneer ministries theChurch is sacrificing control for the sake of creativity. Ratherthan setting the agenda for evangelism and mission centrally,Pioneer Ministers will be free to discern the shape of theirmission in their particular context. What grows may not look like atraditional "church" but will enable young adults to worship Godand be equipped as disciples.'

The Church will seek to recruit as Pioneer Ministers lay andordained people who demonstrate vision, motivation and the abilityto inspire others. They will be offered support and training andwill be able to build new, viable independent Christiancongregations rooted in the Methodist tradition.