Day 3
Pioneer Ministry is Meeting People Where They Are – Report of the Pioneer Ministry Council
Members of General Synod heard of the progress, challenges and opportunities presented in Pioneer Ministry this morning.
Proposing the report of the Pioneer Ministry Council, the Revd Ian Horner gave a number of updates. He noted that 14 Pioneer Ministry Hubs have been established across the island meaning that there is one hub in every diocese and more than one in some. Pioneer Ministry Advocates met in CITI in June last year and in November 132 people attended the National Gathering in Mullingar in November.
Fourteen new licensed pioneers have begun their training since the start of the project and new pioneer communities have been established in a diverse array of contexts, he said. There are eight applications for new projects and pioneers for 2026.
“While the Pioneer Ministry Project is still in its early stages it’s wonderful to see the creativity that it is sparking within existing church structures. This project is a real testament to the vision of the House of Bishops, the RCB and the General Synod and Standing committee and we are very grateful to the Church of Ireland Theological Institute and Church Army for their partnership with us,” Mr Horner said.
He concluded by encouraging members to pray for the pioneers, advocates and the hubs and to think of how they can reach people with little connection to the Church in their own communities.
The report was seconded by Robert Neill (Dublin and Glendalough) who introduced a video.
National Director of Pioneer Ministry, the Revd Robert Jones (Dublin), gave a formal update on how things are going on the ground. He outlined Pioneer Ministry’s five core objectives which he said were interconnected: governance and leadership, pioneer ministry hubs, identifying and training volunteer and employed pioneers, establishing and supporting new pioneer communities, and integration into the culture and structures of the Church.
He said these were symbolised by the vine and trellis and on the ground there is growth and the vine is spreading and there are new pioneer communities all over the Church of Ireland.
He shared some honest learnings. There is a genuine sense of renewed spiritual yearning, people are searching and Pioneer Ministry is meeting people where they are at. They have also learned that the pioneer ministries can’t work alone, they need parishes to flourish. The early days of the new ministries are fragile and they need continued support so parishes must walk alongside pioneer communities, he said. There is a sense of unity in diversity. “Pioneer ministry honours difference and celebrates the many ways in which the spirit is moving but it recognises how deeply that unity is running through the church,” he commented. Mr Jones said that they are learning that both macro and micro pioneering are equally important and work together. Pioneer ministry is not just a niche programme for a few enthusiasts, there are people who are hungry and interested and doing things in their parishes and that calling belongs to every parish, he added.
Archdeacon Barry Forde (Connor) said Pioneer Ministry would not have advanced so far without the structures that were put in place early on to develop a roadmap. Over the next nine to 12 months he said they would need to work so that where the growth is happening now and what is coming next. “We need to embed this and plan for it so it can grow and be part of the rhythm and witness of the Church of Ireland,” he said adding the shape of the leadership needs to adapt to the growth. Looking at the training, he said that people want to be trained even if they don’t have a pioneer project. He expressed thanks to Church Army and they want to take the learnings and see how training might become more developed on the island.
All of this requires a financial plan and the pioneer ministries need to ask questions about sustainability beyond the programme, he stated explaining that thought has to be given to how it is funded over the medium and longer term. Pioneering hubs and advocates are growing in their understanding to think about how it can be delivered. Pioneer Ministry is not a pathway to ordination, he said but pioneers are asking the leadership about sacraments as new communities are formed and asking what might ordination look like. ”We’re in a new phase and we have to plan for the future,” he said.
Discussion on the Report
Speaking to the report Diane Ruddock (Down and Dromore) shared her personal experience of how the words Pioneer Ministry went from words on a page to leaving breathing spirit. Her parish connected with the pioneer project in Warrenpoint so they built a partnership and gave practical support and prayer. But it is a two way relationship, she said and encouraged other parishes to connect with projects.
Dean Nigel Dunne (Cork Cloyne and Ross) spoke about liturgy and the possibility of integration. He said there was assistance needed with language and adaptation into these very different contexts. He said the LAC might be able to pull together resources and put them out in to the communities and may be able to help with training.
Dean Cliff Jeffers (Cork Cloyne and Ross) spoke about a project in West Cork where a Pioneer Ministry Hub was set up. He said they spent 18 months trying to get their heads around pioneer ministry and now they are looking forward to funding for their project which, for now, they are continuing with a volunteer project. He encouraged people in small initiatives that make a difference.
Simon Henry (Down and Dromore) thanked the Pioneer Ministry team for their inspiration. He said there was a huge emphasis on youth ministry which was exciting for CIYD to see.
Dean Ruth West (Kilmore, Elphin and Ardagh) talked about their Recentre project and she said they were in need of ordained ministry. She said Pioneer Ministry cannot just be a lay led initiative and urged the bishops to consider ordained ministry.
The Revd Trevor Holmes (Meath and Kildare) is a pioneer advocate. He asked people to recognise those who pioneered Pioneer Ministry for their sterling work. He talked about the Pioneer Ministry Gathering in Mullingar near the Hill of Uisneach, the ancient centre of Ireland. He said for two days they were the best of the Church of Ireland and that those in attendance were inspired by the Revd Dr Michael Moynahan. He said the most important thing he learned was the addition of 10 minutes of ‘Soul Space’ to parish activities.
Archdeacon Elizabeth Kearns (Armagh) gave an update on pioneer Ministry in Armagh Diocese. She said initially there was pressure to establish a project when others seemed to be way ahead. With the Pioneer Leadership team they had a diocesan meeting with all of the clergy and pioneering gained traction and vision and a project was set up and has been approved for funding. They have learned to wait for God’s timing and not rush ahead.
The Revd Peter Munce (Armagh) expressed thanks for Pioneer Ministry in Armagh as they seek to reach those with little or no connection to church. He has been working with Pioneer Ministry for the last year and now Gathered has been awarded funding in Markethill, and he was looking forward to all God had in store for them.
Joanne Miller encouraged more people across the Church of Ireland as they undertake this work. She said they were all aware of the challenges as more people were disconnecting from church. She said the Great Commission was not given to a select few. She said there were many excellent resources willing to support people wishing to take the first steps in Pioneer Ministry.
Rhonda Willoughby (Meath and Kildare) outlined two projects in Meath and Kildare and highlighted a pilgrimage from Athlone to Clonmacnoise by boat and on foot next weekend. She commended the work of the Revd Philip McKinley in his work and Bishop Pat for her support. She said that pioneers were outward looking and urged people to trust their work to God.
Andrew McCaw (Down and Dromore) spoke of his experience of Pioneer Ministry in a deprived area of Belfast. He said that on the frontline the Church cares by starting new Pioneer Ministry. He thanked everyone who took a massive risk with pioneering and urged Synod members to go on the hunt for pioneer people in their parishes.
Seconder Mr Robert Neill (Glendalough) said that Synod had been given a vision of pioneering as outlined by the witness of individual pioneers. He referred to the recent Church Growth Conferences and the key note speaker by Canon Alistair Graham which said that we are on the verge of a spiritual revival. But that revival is not in church attendance but it is found in untested waters. He said one response has been Pioneer Ministry and that links with existing parishes is a fundamental objective. He outlined the various training events offered from the leadership team and encouraged participation in the next Pioneer Gathering.
A motion on membership of the Pioneer Council was passed.