What is a Mission Community?
Churches across Cumbria working together — Anglican, Methodist, United Reformed, Salvation Army and others — sharing people, buildings and ideas so that each one can do more than it could alone.
A Mission Community is a group of neighbouring churches, pioneers, fresh expressions — new forms of church meeting outside a traditional Sunday service — and community groups that choose to work together. They share leadership, resources and mission.
Your own church doesn’t change. It keeps its building, its congregation, its tradition and its name. A Mission Community sits alongside it, so that churches close to each other can pool what they have rather than each starting from scratch.
Why we do this in Cumbria
Churches in Cumbria have been working together since 2015, when Anglican, Methodist, United Reformed and Salvation Army churches formed a partnership across the county, alongside other companion denominations. Mission Communities grew out of that.
Prayer
Praying together regularly, as the foundation everything else is built on.
Discipleship
Helping people grow in faith, with learning and support shared across the churches.
Vocations
Encouraging people to explore what God is calling them to, whether that’s ordained ministry, lay leadership or something else.
Stewardship
Using time, money, buildings and people’s gifts carefully and well.
Working simply
Collaborating without adding layers of committees and paperwork.
Mission
Reaching out together into local communities, sharing the love of Christ in practical ways.
Resources to download
These resources are here to help Mission Communities and their leaders.
Garden Planner (booklet)
The Garden Planner is a short booklet that uses the picture of a flourishing garden to help Mission Communities think about what growth looks like where they are.
Mission Community Leader Guidance
Guidance to help Mission Community leaders in their role.
Download the leader’s guide (PDF)
Garden Planner (large print)
The Garden Planner in larger type.
Garden Planner (print version)
This version of the Garden Planner is a single-page version, laid out for printing.
Visit the Tool Shed to help cultivate your garden and grow a mix of different kinds of church.
Who leads a Mission Community
- Each Mission Community decides for itself how its ministry is shared out. Some ministers are paid; others give their time freely.
- Leaders, often ordained ministers, are supported by an Archdeacon.
- Leaders meet regularly with each other for encouragement, accountability and shared learning.
What actually happens
- Regular joint worship, prayer gatherings and training sessions, often over shared meals to build relationships.
- Collaborative outreach events: holiday clubs, care initiatives and community festivals across the year.
- Festival of Fresh Expressions and annual planning days to renew vision and plan together.
Find your Mission Community
See which Mission Community your church belongs to on the God for All map.