Mission and Ministry

‘How can we as Christian presences be more effective in our engagement in communities, in a way which brings lasting transformation?’

Rural Church Entrepreneurs builds on the findings of The Effective Christian Presence and Enterprise Project (Churches Regional Commission for Yorkshire & the Humber, Faithworks, 2008). The project conducted two years of research with 19 innovative Christian groups in the Yorkshire and Humber region. It aimed to identify, learn from, encourage and sustain enterprising forms of Christian presence.

Developing entrepreneurship in the rural church

One of the project’s recommendations was that ordained and lay church leaders should be trained to develop the ‘entrepreneurial leadership style’, including project development and management skills, and be supported and encouraged to start new community and social enterprise projects. In response, the CRCY&H and the ARC are collaborating on developing a leadership development programme specifically aimed at lay and ordained leaders in the rural church which will:

• Run for 18 months in the North Yorkshire and Humber area.
• Build on current ministry experience, skills and knowledge to further develop leadership capacity consistent with the character of the rural church and with its changing patterns of ministry.
• Develop excellence in lay and ordained leadership as a key step towards encouraging more effective Christian presence
• Contribute to the creation of a community of leadership practice relevant to the structural and missional needs of the rural church
• Develop a systematic approach to strategic and entrepreneurial leadership in the rural church with greater awareness of the critical factors in ensuring effective ministry and mission
• Foster an ecumenical approach in addressing the changing context for rural ministry
• Extend personal and professional commitment to nurturing effective lay leadership in the wider ministry of the rural church
• Enhance understanding of how to work more effectively in collaborative and lateral relationships within the church and beyond
• Foster a culture of continuing personal development that supports sustained growth and is responsive to changing context for ministry

This programme is currently only open to selected participants.