C2: How to choose an ecumenical model and employ a worker together
Biblical/Practical Intro
After this, Jesus travelled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means. Luke 8:1-3 NIVUK
At a glance
This guide explores three different ecumenical approaches:
- Dividing the new housing area(s) between the churches/denominations who are keen to respond missionally.
- Lead Denomination Model.
- Fully Ecumenical Projects – including employing an ecumenical worker.
Key Points
In many places where there are large areas of new housing, churches of different denominations and traditions work together to create a unified approach to missional engagement. There are three key ecumenical approaches.
Dividing the new housing area(s) between the churches/denominations who are keen to respond missionally
In Bicester thousands of new homes are being built on several different housing estates. Each estate has a different identity including the UK’s largest self-build housing area and an area of eco-housing. Churches Together in Bicester (CTiB) initially worked together to welcome residents onto the first new estate. However, as the amount of housing has grown, the different denominations in CTiB have agreed that different churches/denominations will head up the missional work on different developments. This gives each church the opportunity to work within their own denominational and accountability structures, whilst retaining good relationships for those working on different developments to pray and share together. This model does however require trusting relationships between the different denominations and a willingness to be open-handed in building God’s kingdom rather than a particular church. It is also worth noting these agreements are only valid between those churches/denominations who choose to be part of these ecumenical groups. Others who are not part of these groups may decide to independently engage in a new housing area ‘designated’ to another church. (See also How to call someone to work on a new housing estate.)
Lead Denomination Model
In Swindon, an ecumenical prayer group was formed from the local church leaders surrounding a large area of planned new housing. During the period when they were meeting to pray, different denominations and traditions sought to create a plan for moving a person or a church onto the new estate once built. After a number of unsuccessful plans, the Baptist minister in the prayer group shared the vision with the wider Baptist network. This resulted in a Baptist minister sensing a call to move to the area and the Baptist family providing some financial resources to lead the work in the area. Friendships between the local leaders remained; the other churches continued to pray and support events, but the Baptists resourced and led. Like the first model, this enables the missional engagement to operate within denominational structures which often simplifies matters if/when a church emerges. It may develop greater loyalty and longer commitment to funding from the lead denomination. As with model one, a willingness to be open-handed in building God’s kingdom, rather than a particular church, is important. And others who are not part of the ecumenical group may decide to independently engage in a new housing area. It is important that the understanding of the lead denomination goes beyond the specific context and is supported by the other denominations, in order for wider relationships to remain strong and the ecumenical relationship understood.
Fully Ecumenical Projects
In New Lubbesthorpe and Cranbrook, churches from different denominations have worked together to resource and employ a worker to serve the new area. Churches Together in Leicestershire (CTiL) decided in the early days of council consultation that they would work together to ensure there was Christian missional engagement with the new development. They organised a symposium five years before the new area would be inhabited and explored possible strategies.
As a result, the Baptist Church, the Church of England, The Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church combined their financial resources and advertised for a pioneer community worker to serve on the estate on behalf of them all. Representatives of these sponsoring churches formed the Lubbesthorpe Action Group to oversee the appointment and ongoing role. The purpose of the role was three-fold: to develop community; to be a welcoming Christian presence; and to birth a Christian community, with the expectation that members would join the pioneer in their missional engagement on the estate. (A sample role profile and job description may be found on the New Housing Hub website. See links below.)
The churches in Devon reached a similar decision for Cranbrook albeit by a slightly different route and with slightly different denominations. They are now on their second appointment who was called with a mandate to continue to grow a worshipping and witnessing Christian community, contextually appropriate to the new development. Both contexts have an ecumenical group that oversees and evaluates the work on the estate.
This model is the most obviously ecumenical of them all and can enable greater resources and support for the work in the new community. This model works extremely well as the community engagement/listening/serving stage of the missional engagement. It can be more complicated if a worshipping community/church emerges as this can highlight different denominational approaches and may lead to complex constitutional agreements, which can detract from the missional imperative.
Learning Points
It is essential for all the churches/denominations involved to share an understanding of the ecumenical model being adopted on the ground. In a fully ecumenical model, it’s important that the community worker/minister/pioneer and ecumenical overseeing group share the same aims and expectations in terms of outcomes. (See How to have a clear vision for outcomes)
Ordination approaches, pay and benefit structures need to be addressed and understood across denominations if people are being employed within a denomination of which they are not a part.
Other Links and Resources
For details of contributors, see The Contributor’s Page.
The New Housing Hub has a vision to work together across denomination and traditions to share God’s love in every new housing area.
Thank you to Helen Baker, John Bentley, Lythan Nevard and Sue Steer for sharing their stories and wisdom and to Dan Simpson for his support with the interviews.
This guide was written by Alison Boulton, a Baptist Minister and co-founder of the New Housing Hub.
