Pioneers in Redhill

Bishop Christopher with (L-R) Minako Hall, Jan Greaves and Andrea Campanale

To St Bede's School this afternoon for the commissioning of the first 3 Lay Pioneers in the Southwark Diocese.


One of these first Lay Pioneer Ministers is our very own Jan Greaves, and it was a great moment to see her long-standing ministry in the Timperley Gardens area of our parish recognised in this way. In addition to this ministry, Jan has attended a one year  'Mission Shaped Ministry' course, and trained as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) in recent years. 

“Pioneers are people called by God who are the first to see and creatively respond to the Holy Spirit’s initiatives with those outside the church; gathering others around them as they seek to establish new contextual ministries”

(Dave Male,  Director of Evangelism and Discipleship in the Church of England. Quoted by Will Cookson: https://freshexpressionssouthwarkdiocese.com/2018/09/19/pioneering-in-southwark/)

The commissioning took place at the end of this year's Croydon Area Lay Conference 'Refreshing Church' - addressed by writer and theologian Paula Gooder, and by Bishop Christopher. I wasn't there to hear either talk, as I slipped in a side door at the end of the day to witness Jan's commissioning!

One of the prayers used in today's service :

Lord Jesus, you are the pioneer and perfecter of our faith:Lead us to where we have never gone before but where you are already at work.Transform us to become more and more like you, until we see you face to face, and you are all in all. Amen.

Congratulations to Jan - may the Lord continue to use her as a Pioneer, and to bring others alongside her to work among those who are - at present - far from God and far from any contact with His people.