Pioneer ministry
We have been recruiting clergy and lay people who can find new, pioneering ways to reach non-churchgoers with the gospel message, alongside traditional forms of church. That may involve creating new worshipping communities or ways of developing Christian discipleship that are different to the standard, geographical parish model.
We've also been helping to train clergy and lay people working in traditional parishes to develop the more pioneering aspects of their role.
Among those areas where we have seen pioneering ministry work are Gosport, Havant, Southsea, Leigh Park and Whiteley. Our Diocesan Plan envisages that we enhance our pioneer ministry across other areas too, especially in new housing developments. We also offer training for our existing clergy to work in more pioneering ways through our Pioneering Parishes workshops and community of practice. We are supporting clergy and lay teams developing and strengthening new Christian communities through the Greenhouse project.
It’s all part of our diocese’s Live | Pray | Serve strategy. Read more about that strategy and how it is shaping our mission and ministry here.
The latest news about our pioneer ministers is at the bottom of this page or watch our video below showing the story of how one pioneer minister was called to plant a new congregation in Southsea:
The Rev Fran Carabott: My Faith
Dean of Pioneer Ministry
Our Dean of Pioneer Ministry is the Rev Greg Bakker, who supports stipendiary pioneers and raises up lay pioneers to serve in the churches and parishes of the diocese. He also helps to train those in our parishes to embrace the more pioneering aspect of their roles. You can contact him on 023-9289 9668 or by email here.
You can also read more about the Church of England’s overall vision for pioneer ministry on their website.
