making disciples, developing leaders, growing churches

catalystOctober 2014 – March 2015

A life-changing summer

On the leadership road

Patronage unpackedPhoto: boys’ Bible study on a Venture

Our passion:We are a committed evangelical mission agency, and since 1836 we have been working for the evangelisation of the UK. In what seems to be an environment of ever-growing secularism across the UK and Republic of Ireland, the urgency of the gospel has never been clearer.

We are fundamentally committed to the local church. Our founders made an obligation to support the evangelistic endeavours of local churches, while our support now focuses on developing and equipping the leaders of local churches.

We believe the message of the cross is real and relevant to all people. It is a good news story: of grace (God’s unmerited favour towards us), mercy (forgiveness when we deserved punishment) and love (John 3:16).

We are passionately committed to the revitalisation of the Church of England. We have never wavered in this passion and our commitment to patronage, Ventures and Falcon Camps and leadership development flows out of our aspirations for the Church of England.

Mission: CPAS enables churches to help every person hear and discover the good news of Jesus Christ.

Unless otherwise stated all Bible quotations taken from the New International Version (NIV)

making disciples, developing leaders, growing churches

Our vision:We long to see a Christ-centred, Bible-based, mission-focused Church where leaders are clear about their call to discipleship, growing in Christ-like character, and competent to lead in a time of rapid change;

where leaders discern God’s direction, enable action, build teams, develop leaders, facilitate communication, and nurture people;

where leaders work in teams, reflecting the diversity of ministries, and model themselves on the servant character of Jesus;

where leaders help transform inherited churches, pioneer emerging churches and deliver creative residential ministry, effectively helping children, young people and adults hear and discover the good news of Jesus Christ.

CatalystEditor: Olly Du Croz Design: Catherine Jackson

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Here at CPAS we often find ourselves working in this ‘hidden’ manner. In this edition of Catalyst you will read about our work with clergy through dioceses (p6-7) and the work of our patronage team (p9 and p12-13), both of which might seem ‘hidden’ to those not directly involved.

Even our support for Ventures and Falcon Camps is largely unseen by the 4,000+ children and young people who joined us this year – but as the volunteer leaders know, without our office-based colleagues this long-established, life-changing ministry would not be possible.

We’re happy to play this sometimes ‘hidden’ role because we know it’s not just about us (to be blunt, it’s not about us at all – see 2 Corinthians 10:17). Here at CPAS we are passionate about seeing biblical ‘level five’ leadership nurtured throughout the Church of England – because this is the kind of leadership that grows the Kingdom of God. I hope and pray that in reading this edition of Catalyst you might help share that vision and be inspired in your support for what God has called us to do.

Thank you,

John Dunnett, General Director

04 A life-changing summer

06 On the leadership road

08 Growing leaders

09 New additions

10 A week on Arrow

12 The place of patronage

14 Thank you

04

14

Contents

In his seminal work Good to Great, Jim Collins refers to what is known as ‘level five leadership’. Level five leaders are not

driven by egotism, don’t look to be praised for their contribution, and are not put out if they are less ‘visible’ than others. Conversely, they exhibit a paradoxical blend of personal humility and what Collins calls ‘professional will’ (a determination to advocate and build the company or cause rather than their own position or reputation).

Jesus was a level five leader par excellence. He told his disciples not to shout about him (Luke 9:21). He commended the lowest seat (Luke 14:10) rather than the place of honour. And he indicated that the true disciple’s commitment to the kingdom must trump even family affections (Luke 14:26).

This kind of leadership or influence is often ‘hidden’ to others – as other biblical examples would indicate. Nehemiah must have put in hours of work behind the scenes to enable the walls of Jerusalem to be rebuilt. Paul wrote from the ‘hiddenness’ of a prison cell (he never knew we would still be reading his letters!). Jesus retreated daily to commune with his Father.

welcome

10

Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. 2 Corinthians 10:17

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a life-changing summerIn Summer 2014, an amazing 3,950 children and young people attended a Venture or Falcon Camp.

Overall leader Jane Gillis tells us more about the Falcon Camps Treginnis 1 and 2, and the impact this ministry is having on the children and teenagers who come.

relationships are strengthened year on year. Some leaders do both camps, and a few of our teenagers have been coming back year after year since they were eight.

‘Creating a sense of family is really important, and so a lot of the Christian teaching is centred around mealtimes. We find that teaching in bite-sized chunks is really effective, with three-minute teaching slots before each course and lots of interaction with the young people. We tell stories from the Bible, personal stories of God at work in our lives and use videos and songs they know. Believe it or not, we even taught the gospel using the Lego Movie!

‘We talked a lot about how God’s story connects with ours, and in the small group times before bed there was chance for the young people to think about their own stories

‘Popular demand is the main reason we started running a second Falcon

Camp at Treginnis. We’d been running a camp for 8-11s for a few years, and the kids who were too old to come the next year started asking if we could do something for them. We were very aware that, for some, Treginnis was their only experience of Christianity, and also that the Falcon Camp is often their only holiday, so after a bit of creative thinking, we said yes to a new camp for 11-14s!

‘This continuity is part of what makes Treginnis a community and not just a holiday, as

The bonfire on the last

night!Jeremy, 15

It is the best camp ever because you get to learn about GOD!David, 10

I loved

the music –

truly amazing to

hear everyone sing

together. I also loved

meeting new people

and dorm games.

Sophie, 15

The

friends I met

and how my

relationship with

god deepened. Also,

climbing Snowdon!

Maisie, 16

The activities were

amazing and I also loved the worship

workshop. Emily, 13

The great friends I made,

the inspirational leaders, the great fun, the super outings, the feeling of community, learning about Jesus.

Molly, 12

The laughs,

the pranks, the

off-site activities, the

wonderful people, the

amazing food and most

of all the incredible

evening sermons.

Lottie, 16

In July and August, 73 Venture holidays took place across England and Wales. Here are some highlights:

The amazing

Christian

atmosphere –

it’s like a taste

of heaven.

George, 17

in small groups and ask any questions. Reaching them where they’re at and giving them the freedom to join in as they want to is a wonderful gift to them, and helps them to personally engage with the Christian teaching.

‘Leading at Treginnis for many years gives me the privilege of seeing glimpses of the longer-term changes taking place in young people, and we see the Falcon Camps as a mission-shaped community which we hope will continue to bear fruit long into the future. Some of them have really sad stories, and we’ve been able to help them manage what they’ve gone through and seen changes in their behaviour and outlook.

‘Nearly all the children at Treginnis are from inner-city Bristol, so one of the things we’re focused on is giving the young people as many outdoor experiences as possible. This summer, we spent lots of time on the beach, went body-boarding, did a nature speedboat ride, visited an outdoor centre, cooked around a campfire and even milked goats and cleaned out chickens at a nearby farm. Seeing their faces when they do all these

new activities is wonderful, and several times young people have told me something at Treginnis is the best thing they’ve ever done.

‘A few months ago, Easton Christian Family Centre (where some of our leaders are based) started a Fresh Expression called ‘Church@4’. It takes place in the grounds of the local primary school and the congregation is mostly made up of Treginnis leaders, young people, parents and carers. It’s early days, but our prayer is that this will deepen the trust and relationships which God has blessed us with so richly.’

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‘Leading at Treginnis for many years gives me the privilege of seeing glimpses of the longer-

term changes taking place in young people...‘

Paddling

in the river

and meeting

new friends.

Rebecca, 9

06

on the leadership road

Leadership programmesWe’ve developed a year-long leadership course for clergy which has been a great success in Exeter diocese, led by CPAS staff Charles Burgess, James Lawrence and Graham Archer, with four cohorts already completing the ‘Servants and Stewards’ course and two more beginning this autumn.

We’ve just started a similar programme in Bristol diocese, and it will also get underway in Peterborough diocese early next year.

The three main themes covered during the programme are: sustaining yourself in leadership, leading well with others and strategies for growth.

An increasing amount of our leadership development training is now delivered through partnerships with Church of England dioceses, increasing our opportunities to equip the leaders of more churches across the country.

During the past year we have delivered training in 12 dioceses, in addition to various other events and conferences

which take place in locations including CPAS training centres such as Lisburn, Nottingham and Ware.

Here’s an update on three main areas of our work with dioceses, as we launch into another season out and about on the leadership development road.

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Training mentors for clergyOver the past 18 months we have also developed a training programme to help dioceses identify, train and deploy mentors for clergy. This has already been delivered in five dioceses – Carlisle, London, Chelmsford, Bath and Wells and Truro – with the hope of uptake in more dioceses next year.

The training consists of an initial two-day event to develop a biblical understanding of mentoring and provide input on six core skills. Several months later a one-day event gives the opportunity to review the early stages of the mentoring relationship and offer further training.

So far we’ve trained well over 100 mentors. Here are some of their comments:

‘Biblically-rooted model and material well applied to the practical situation.’

‘Excellent teaching! I found James to be an inspiring and extremely insightful person.’

‘New insights into the mentor/mentee relationship.’

‘Mentoring skills in the context of spirituality and purpose of leadership.’

The last edition of Catalyst included an article about new learning communities for leaders in multi-parish benefices. This initiative sees groups of lay and ordained leaders from several benefices gather four times over a two year period, and so far this year we’ve started pilots in York and Gloucester dioceses.

Pam Macnaughton, CPAS leadership specialist who is heading up this initiative, said: ‘During the past few months we’ve had the second gatherings for the learning communities in York and Gloucester. My continuing prayer is that the insights gained will impact the churches long into the future and we will see many, many more people come to know Jesus

personally through the ministry of multi-parish benefices.’

Seven other dioceses have expressed an interest in these learning communities, so we’re working with them on

plans to equip leaders for this increasingly common model of churches being

linked together under one incumbent.

‘The combination of tracks about “outer” ministry and the “inner” spiritual life worked really well, and highlighted the importance of a good leader being a good follower.

‘It’s early days, but the course has already helped me view PCC meetings as kingdom-building opportunities, with each agenda item now linked to the Mission Action Plan so we know the reason we’re spending time talking about things.’

Chris Martin, vicar of four rural churches around Whimple, Devon, attended the ‘Servants and Stewards’ leadership course in Exeter diocese.

‘We started the first session with a Bible study about Jesus the good shepherd, which set the tone for the rest of the course. Charles was exceptional, with input combining the best of leadership training with all that Scripture has to tell us about good leadership, and he also gave space for rich discussions amongst the other participants.

Multi-parish benefice learning communities

www.cpas.org.uk/growingleaders

‘As the vicar I want to be able to set these things up and then take a bit of a step back, but I needed to invest in people so they can lead these things.

‘From the 11 people on the course two participants are now regularly preaching

and leading services, one is considering being a church

warden and two have become deanery synod reps.’

Since her ordination Jo has remained in the Nottingham area, including serving her curacy at St Peter’s Toton and St Mary’s Attenborough,

a CPAS patronage church, before moving to Hucknall two

and a half years ago.

‘St Peter’s and St Paul’s is a great church which brings together a mixture of traditions and people. The parish includes a deprived area on a housing estate as well as professionals with business experience.

‘Growing Leaders worked really well for different people with a variety of learning styles, especially with its options of reflective and more hands-on activities. The course has gelled people from all backgrounds together and given them more confidence in church life, as well as outside.’

A vicar in Nottinghamshire has described the Growing Leaders course as ‘an excellent resource for the Church’, having seen its impact in her parish during the past year.

growing leaders

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Jo Stephens, team vicar of St Peter’s and St Paul’s in West Hucknall, first came across Growing Leaders when taking part in the

course during her ordination training at St John’s Nottingham soon after its publication several years ago.

Jo said: ‘I took part in the course when it was quite new – it was useful then and it’s still a relevant, excellent resource for the Church now.

‘It’s been an amazing couple of years at St Peter’s and St Paul’s. We’ve had a vision of making more outreach happen, so we needed to equip people to make this a reality.

Thanks to people taking part in Growing

Leaders we’ve started new activities including a youth club, which attracts 25 young people every fortnight. Earlier this year

we also started a community cinema club which brought

70 people to church for our first screening.

Some of the Growing Leaders participants in West Hucknall

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Discover more about the role of patrons in the Church of England on pages 12-13.

John Dunnett with former patron David Owen, photographed outside St Stephen’s Bentilee.

new additions

A Staffordshire church where CPAS general director John Dunnett once lived, is one of several new parishes where patronage has recently transferred to CPAS.

John recently paid a return visit to St Stephen’s Bentilee, the parish where he lived as a child while his father, the Rev Bob Dunnett,

ministered from 1960-72.

John Dunnett said: ‘Bentilee is a place that brings back many fond childhood memories for me, so it’s wonderful that my time at CPAS sees its patronage added to our responsibilities.

‘These new additions bring with them an opportunity to extend the number of parishes where we will have an influence on the appointment of Bible teaching, gospel-focused, mission-minded leaders.’

Since the start of 2014, the number of churches where CPAS has patronage responsibilities has risen by eight churches, including the Bucknall team (which incorporates St Stephen’s) and five other benefices in Lichfield diocese: Bagnall with Endon, Bentley and Willenhall, St Martin’s Bradley, St Matthew’s Wolverhampton and the Bilston team ministry. The patronage of All Saints Worcester has also transferred to CPAS, as well as the re-organised East Richmond team in York diocese.

Nigel Evans, team rector of Bucknall and a graduate of the CPAS Arrow Leadership Programme, said: ‘Having been through Arrow I’ve had first-hand experience of the passion that drives the work of CPAS enabling churches to thrive and grow. Clergy appointments are obviously another key part of this, so as our new patrons it’s great to hear that the long-term futures of churches such as St Stephen’s are in good hands.’

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TuesdayJames Lawrence, CPAS leadership principal, led the teaching for most of the day on the topic of ‘leading well with others’. James tackled questions such as: What are the priorities for the Christian leader? How does the Bible help us shape our view of leadership insights from the business and academic worlds? What is going to help us best lead like Jesus?

Making the most of a residential week away, free time during the evenings gave participants the chance to have fun, chat and relax together. Friendships begun on Arrow often create a network of peers who continue to support each other for many years.

a week on arrow

Earlier this year 24 more Christian leaders aged 25-40 embarked on their 18-month Arrow Leadership Programme. Having gathered for a one-day preparation event in March, the first of four week-long residentials took place in May.

Here’s an insider’s look at a week in the life of Arrow.

Monday Each day on an Arrow residential begins with Bible teaching and worship. Paul and Christine Perkin from St Mark’s Battersea Rise led the teaching which focused on Jonah, with today’s first session on the topic of Jonah attempting to flee from God.

The rest of the day was due to be spent in the nearby Peak District, but poor weather restricted them team to on-site activities. Arrow manager Carol Street said: ‘The activity day combines physical exercise, mental challenge and informal conversation. Everyone is encouraged to take part in all the activities at a level that both engages and stretches their capabilities.’

‘Some of the best teaching and application I have heard.’

‘Every session had nuggets for me to take. Lots around motive and listening to God.’

‘Brilliant – loved it and Paul and Christine’s vulnerability and style were great!’

‘Well led, well taught, it was clear where we were going. The conclusion, with reflection and foot washing, brought the day together well.’

‘The concept of generational differences, especially in terms of expectations of leadership.’

What did participants find most helpful?

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WednesdayA day on the subject of ‘evangelism today’ was led by Dave Male, an author and speaker who set up the Centre for Pioneer Learning in Cambridge. This module aims to stop evangelism slipping down the priorities of leaders, not by technique or education but by each participant’s personal response to the difference Christ’s limitless love has made to their lives.

ThursdaySharon Prior, a trainer and consultant who also coaches and mentors Christian leaders, led several sessions today about ‘empowering relationships’. Sharon’s input addressed leadership as a relational process, recognising that many relationships provide the opportunity to empower others. Neglecting these relationships can be to the detriment of leaders and those around them.

All the participants and Arrow team joined together for a celebratory dinner on the final evening followed by a quiz and games, mixing good food with plenty of laughter.

What is Arrow?A transformational leadership programme with a vision of equipping leaders to be led more by Jesus, lead more like Jesus and lead more to Jesus. It combines four week-long residential with mentoring, peer cells and projects.

Based on a biblical model of leadership development, Arrow doesn’t just focus on skills in leadership and evangelism, but also consider character and call. Since being brought to the UK by CPAS in 1999, nearly 300 men and women have completed Arrow.

‘Dave was excellent and had great application and integrity.’

‘The challenge to model and that it’s ok to fail.’

‘Encouraged to dream and also that I’m doing more of this than I thought already!’

‘The practical chance to have a go at what was being taught, not role play but reality.’

‘The issues about correct use of power were very helpful.’

‘Being mentored helped me assert some decisions already made on Arrow – highly encouraging.’

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the place of patronage

What do we do now?’ is a question many ask when told their vicar is leaving. Some may be concerned

about how the church will manage without a vicar (see the CPAS resource Growing Through a Vacancy for help!); the other, and arguably more long-term issue, is a concern about who will become the new vicar. This is where patrons enter the story.

Why are patrons important?Nobody can deny the strategic importance of the appointment of a new vicar. Although much of our work at CPAS helps churches develop more leaders to partner with clergy in mission-shaped ministry, a vicar can be in post for many years and will have a strong influence on all aspects of church life.

Patrons represent the historic foundation of a parish. Originally, a parish will have had sponsors, or patrons, who worked hard to found the church and ensure it provided gospel ministry in the community. Patrons are therefore friends to the parish; advocates for its welfare, but with a deep and often long-standing concern for the church’s continuity and growth.

While vicars come and go, patrons do not. Patrons can be individuals (for example Her Majesty the Queen is patron to many churches, although others oversee the responsibility on her behalf), organisations like CPAS, or even bishops acting as patrons as well as in their diocesan role. They come from different theological traditions, different backgrounds and often bring different facets of community life to bear in the church.

What do patrons do?Patrons, most often, are involved when the vicar leaves. In law it is the patron’s right to find, or ‘present’, the next person to be the vicar. Today this is done in full consultation with the bishop of the diocese and the parish(es) through a formal and legal appointment process. CPAS is one of the most significant patrons in the Church of England, being represented in every English diocese.

As an evangelical mission agency we are committed to the appointment of vicars who have a deep love of the Bible and a concern for evangelism that makes and grows new disciples for Christ.

The exact nature of our role as patrons to 520 benefices is a bit of a mystery to many people. Last year, Catalyst featured an insight into a week in the life of John Fisher, CPAS patronage secretary.

Here, John takes a step back from his day-to-day work and ponders the place of patronage in the Church of England.

‘

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Who is involved?The 12 CPAS patronage trustees who administer this responsibility are a mix of lay and ordained, male and female and have a great concern to serve churches well. The trustees work with me and other CPAS staff to oversee this work, as well as being the human face of the patron at a time of significant change for the parish.

Connecting the ChurchCPAS likes to appear more often than just in times of vacancy. We support our parishes through prayer, and our connection with them drives much of our work developing new resources and making them available to local churches. Being a good patron is a symbiotic relationship where both parties see the benefit for the sake of the gospel. CPAS patronage churches often support us in various ways, including many who donate as part of their regular mission giving.

We also have an important role in serving patronage in the wider Church. Earlier this year we facilitated a conference for over 80 patrons, archdeacons and bishops, about the role of patronage today. We also administer a register of evangelical clergy looking for a new post, which is also circulated to other patrons, bishops and archdeacons.

CPAS patronage is an exciting but largely unseen ministry which helps grow churches with strategic evangelical appointments. CPAS patronage secretary, John Fisher

For me, the highlight of Perrott Hill

was the young people all singing

enthusiastically to “Lord I lift your name

on high“, which was our worship song for

the week. It was very moving to see God

at work throughout the camp.

Falcon Camps give such an amazing

opportunity to share Jesus with young

people and give them a really deserved

holiday.

Without CPAS, none of this wonderful work

would be possible. God bless you all!

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Everything CPAS does is only possible because of the prayers and financial gifts of our supporters.

We hope you are encouraged by these words of thanks from some of the many, many people

whose ministries have been blessed by CPAS events, programmes and resources.

Having been on your excellent “The Buck Stops Here” course I have now begun my new role as the Priest in Charge of Staveley, Ings and Kentmere in Carlisle Diocese. I am really enjoying it and am putting into practice lots of stuff from the course.

Life is very different to that of a curate - more free - and I have been warmly welcomed by the parishes.

Thanks for your encouragement.

Yours in ChristShanthi Thompson

Dear CPAS team

I want to congratulate everyone who contributes to this brilliant newsletter [Lead On], brimming with resources and practical wisdom. This is a great resource, and I have been actively recommending it to a number of my friends and colleagues. This is high quality input, whilst retaining the human touch with humility, recognising that we are all on a leadership journey together.

Keep up the great work!

Many thanksPeter Whale

From Adrian Foster, overall leader of Perrott Hill Falcon Camp.

Dear CPAS

I am sending a donation for £60 because on St Matthew‘s Day 1953, I turned my collar around having been ordained at Liverpool Cathedral . I have now celebrated just over 60 years in the ministry, and I wanted to mark this by this donation because whilst in training, as a curate, and when I became an incumbent, there was always the generosity of the Church Pastoral Aid Society providing support. Thank you so much for your help over the years.

In Christ,The Rev Ray Smith

PS. May I say I am delighted to read of the courses etc. from CPAS which engage in training in the parishes. They are greatly needed.

your tweets

@Luke_Blakeley: @CPASnews @CPASVentures Good sun & good fun at Wensleydale 1! Great learning about how Jesus is the Light of The World!

@RevdRich: Loved the Growth Course vibe tonight @ChiswickChurch Thank you @CPASnews for a fab resource in Growing Leaders. Great stuff.

@fearners; Great to hear the good news of the cross this am, even better to do it with 54 teenagers and a crowd of leaders @CPASnews #ventures #bredon2

@denmentor: Drinking in the wise words of James Lawrence from @CPASnews @NewWineEngland on ‘Building Resilience in Leaders’ #nwunited14

@annclucas: A day at Falcon camp. What’s not to like? I think heaven might be like this. With a bit more time to read.

@Lichfield_CofE: Growing Young Leaders, brilliant @CPASnews sessions for 14-20yr olds start again in Stoke/Wolves, mid Sept

@RomseyOne: Just 8 days until leaders arrive in sunny Hampshire to set up for camp! We’re thankful to @CPASnews for all of their help and admin!

@allencbower: “Our greatest Achilles heel is often not our weakness but our strength wrongly played” JamesLawrence @CPASnews #leadership

@stumain: Final @CPASnews #growingleaders session tonight. Really enjoyed the course, challenging & punchy; educational but really well delivered.

@eastonrev: Day recovering from @CPASVentures week, faith, fun, possible vocations to @c_of_e, profound conversations with teenagers and silliness too!

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