Pioneering and creative mission; the importance of ‘and’
I am just a few months into this new role and to borrow a phrase from Bishop Rob– it is both change and continuity. We always see change and continuity as growth happens. We have seen so much growth in the area of fresh expressions and pioneering in this Diocese. I came to Cumbria (a return to the North – almost 5 years ago) to serve in this Diocese in part due to the work that was happening in pioneering -and how it was emerging alongside and with mission communities and parishes. As a Priest committed to both, that was and remains attractive.I applied for this new role to see that work come to its natural fruition in some ways as pioneering becomes so normalised that we perhaps even stop using the language so much. New worshipping communities are just that. They are New – made up of people who haven’t been to church ever, or perhaps for a long time, Worshipping the God seen in Jesus, and a Community gathering regularly and getting to know each other, themselves and God more each day and flourishing in all these relationships. I hope and pray they just become part of what we all do in time, and part of our rhythm of church life as a whole.
So what does this mean in practice…(because all theology and missiology is practical)?
Just as seeds have to die in order to bring growth, you will not see reference to the Northern Mission Centre following the end of external funding in December last year – but instead where the creative and imaginative work of revitalisation of mission is going on look out for pioneers near you and have a conversation. They will look like NYC leaders, Pioneer Enablers, Lay Pioneers authorized in mission communities, those who are Priests, Deacons, House for Duty Pioneers, Pioneers in ecumenical teams, Youth and Children’s and families workers, and people just getting on with it as lay people – this is not an exhaustive list! It probably includes you! Those of us engaged in supportive roles now speak much more about pioneering and creative mission within a wider team Mission and Ministry, Support and Innovation – Diocese of Carlisle. We will still use this familiar logo, and the NMC email for our work around pioneering, creative mission and revitalisation.
This support work is to highlight the mission that God is continuing to inspire through lay or ordained pioneers, in intergenerational work, community chaplaincy, outdoor worship, safe spaces for our young people, celebrating liturgy and contemplation, midweek communions, in new monastic community, through Restore, wellbeing hubs, community gatherings in places and purposes not yet imagined, because we follow a faithful God of continuity and creativity. We are interested in the and….how pioneering is now embedded in our parishes, mission communities, alongside and with church planting, our structures, and our everyday lives. Pioneering is part of who we are. We seek to be on a pilgrimage to celebrate pioneering and creative mission at both the edge and the centre of Christ’s church here in Cumbria.
We have a depth of insight and learning to lean on and we want to recognise this amongst us. The significance of the missiology of listening and contextual church planting that began decades ago with John Stott with double missional listening and Tom Wright with faithful improvisation, has established roots for much good practice for the church planting we now seek, and the ongoing commitment to flourishing parishes and mission communities that remains. As Bishop Rob recently said, ‘the priority of priorities is to raise the spiritual temperature of the Diocese’ and so we join with that in celebrating encounters with God across the Country wherever they may be.
As well as a commitment to mission, we remain committed to each other and recognising the need to support each other in what can be isolating and long-term work. Lori Passmore has been appointed the Missional Revitalisation Support Officer and oversees the networks as part of her role, but the training and development aspect will also be part of my work. Lori brings extraordinary creative insight and wisdom to this work and I am extremely thankful that she is continuing to lead in this area after a decade of being part of this network here in Cumbria. We are under no illusions that this work is somehow completed.
We are strengthening the Campfire network, beginning a rhythm of prayer in the new year online, and looking to establish and continue new networks to support those already involved in this work across the county ecumenically, and those looking to begin it with a peer-to-peer support network. Keep an eye on all of this in 2026 and don’t hesitate to get in touch if any of this is news to you. This is a season of working alongside other partners and seeking out where the story of pioneering and exploration has so much in common with how the ancient story of faith in Cumbria is alive and well and where imaginative mission can be sparked and inspired by all we have been learning in the past decade.
I am excited to see what will grow in the coming years and how we can support each other in this growth. Most of all I am looking forward to the number of cups of teas ‘around the potting shed’ I will continue to have, if you forgive me in stretching the metaphor of the garden that is close to our hearts here. It is in those cups of tea and chats that we share our stories, stories of where and how we have met God and how he has walked with us, how he changes our lives and how we have dared to share that with others. I am also inspired to learn from others who are not like me, who are younger than me, who have more diverse experience of God’s world than me, who have found a different path into or out of church and community, and who can teach me about God. I remain endlessly curious if I am honest, as much as creative, and I get up each day hungry and thirsty to know more of the infinite love of the God who has made all things, including me, and who longs to meet us all face to face.
That love is not something that I can keep to myself but belongs to everyone whom God has made. That is what makes all the difference and will make all the difference in our communities, and the new ones that many of us will begin to see grow in these years ahead on the Cumbrian Way. We really need each other to be able to share this love of God that is truly for all. I hope you will join me on the road ahead, and please do get in touch if you fancy sharing a cuppa.
Beth
Revd Beth Honey, Director of Missional Revitalisation, November 2025 Beth.honey@carlislediocese.org.uk
07881 60196