Pioneers - seeing future possibilities
"Pioneering is the gift of not fitting in. This is not to suggest for a moment that pioneers are the awkward squad. It is that they see and imagine different possibilities to the way things are now, to business as usual. They are then able to build a path-way to make real what they see or imagine." - Jonny Baker
Pioneering at its heart is about following God's call to go and make disciples in new and sometimes exciting, sometimes mundane ways. Monmouth diocese has a good history and support of those who are following this path.
The pioneer group in Monmouth is an informal group made up of both lay and ordained members and always welcomes those involved in pioneering and "Fresh Expressions" of church and those who want to explore the journey! We take risks to try new things, listen to our communities to grow (with the help of God) new forms of church which are for those outside the walls of our church and to stay on the edges of church and society.
We have toddler churches, messy churches, pub groups, youth groups, meditation groups, new monasticism, work with asylum seekers, puppets and spaces to explore faith in new ways.
Pioneering is often about discerning what God is doing and joining in. A pioneer can celebrate and respond to what God is doing, adapting the plans they may have had and seeing the potential to create a fresh expression of the church around this activity.
As Beth Keith puts it, "A pioneer is someone who sees future possibilities and works to bring them to reality'.
We gather throughout the year to share what we are up to, to encourage one another as well as share in the pains and struggles we have along the way.