CMS helps students 'read signs of the times'

Church Mission Society is hoping its Pioneer Mission Leadership Training Course will support students in "reading the signs of the times".

This is the theme for the next academic year starting in September.

"Responding to the signs of the times is what pioneers are good at," says Jonny Baker, the course leader.

"They spot what's going on in culture and look for what the Spirit might be saying in that. Then their imagination goes to work in pioneering mission."

The groundbreaking course was launched three years ago and has grown from nine students to 50. It now offers an MA programme and C-of-E recognised training for Ordained Pioneer Ministers, alongside a foundation degree in ministry and individual modules suitable for mission practitioners.

Students come from a range of denominations and are able to take what they learn to diverse contexts like new age fairs, arts communities and prisons.

"There is nothing more gratifying than to hear stories of how the learning and experience that they are immersed in on the CMS course is helping make their projects more successful and sustainable," Baker added.

Philip Mounstephen, executive leader of CMS, said, "In the UK today, you don't need to go overseas to cross cultures, often you just need to go and say hello to your next door neighbour.

"That's why CMS is so pleased to offer our historic experience in cross-cultural mission training to the Church in this country through our outstanding Pioneer Mission Leadership course."

News
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day
Fire severely damages historic Amsterdam church on New Year’s Day

A major fire tore through one of Amsterdam’s best-known historic buildings in the early hours of New Year’s Day, seriously damaging the property and forcing people to leave nearby homes.

Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures
Rwanda’s president on the defensive over church closures

Rwandan President Paul Kagame defended the government's forced closure of Evangelical churches, accusing them of being a “den of bandits” led by deceptive relics of colonialism. 

We are the story still being written
We are the story still being written

The story of Christ continues in the lives of those who take up His calling.

Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas
Christians harassed, attacked all over India at Christmas

International Christian Concern reported more than 80 incidents in India, some of them violent, over Christmas.