A pioneer is someone able to imagine what a new Christian community can be and enable it to happen.
The Methodist Church recognises pioneers and church planters as precious gifts and is committed to them. We will support, coach, and connect you through the Methodist Pioneering Pathways (MPP).
Are you a pioneer?
You may feel you don't fit the image of a pioneer or church planter. Take a look at these characteristics and reflect on whether you see them in yourself:
Self-starter - In a variety of settings, be it church, community, artistic or business a pioneer is motivated to initiate new things.
Visionary - A gift to imagine what new Christian community might be for new people and envision others to work towards its creation.
Team-builder - An effective pioneer builds teams of people around a vision to enable it to become reality.
Connected to others - Creative connections to their community, to God and to individuals is the passion of pioneers.
Called to the edge - Though committed to the established church, pioneers often find themselves called and happiest at the edge.
Natural evangelist - At ease speaking about their faith sensitively in every situation, a pioneer is always open to sharing the gospel in relevant ways.
Committed to diversity - Being called to the edge a pioneer notices those who are missing or excluded from Christian communities.
Risk-taking and mistake-making - A pioneer has a willingness to take healthy risks and learn in the pursuit of finding out where God is leading.
Responsive to changing contexts - A pioneer is able to pivot quickly to changes around them and make them fruitful opportunities for faith to be shared.
Desiring faith community - Essential to pioneers is the desire to form new Christian communities where people can become followers of Jesus for the first time.
You can book a chat with Matt Finch, he would love to meet you and share the Methodist Church’s vision for beginning new Christian communities. Book a meeting here.
We invite you to take a few moments to read through the Methodist Pioneering Pathways (MPP) web page to see how we support our pioneers and how you can join this growing community. Also, to explore further, why not take some time to read the Discernment Journal.