In the first episode of the Reconciling Mission podcast, host Mina Munns, Network Lead for the Reconciling Mission programme, sat down with Alastair, the creator of the initiative, to unpack how churches can engage more meaningfully with their local communities.
The Reconciling Mission programme is more than just an educational framework. As Alastair explained, many congregations excel at meeting basic human needs, such as food banks, shelters, or companionship for the lonely. But he cautioned that stopping there risks reinforcing the very systems that create those problems.
“The difficulty is if we stop there, we can end up just reinforcing the status quo,” Alastair said. “Our model asks us: where do we go from here? How do we begin to address the systemic issues our communities face?”
Challenging the status quo
One example came from a church member in the programme’s first cohort who partnered with a local GP practice to create a listening service for people struggling with mental health challenges. Instead of relying solely on overwhelmed professional services, the group empowered local residents to support one another.
Such work, Alastair said, is a “challenge to the way things are normally done”, a reimagining of mission as collaborative and grassroots, not top-down.
Strengths-based community building
Another key element of the programme is its focus on asset-based community development. Rather than starting from a deficit model, defining communities by what they lack, the approach seeks to uncover the skills, passions, and resources already present among local people.
Alastair said: “We need to ask: what treasure is already here? What passions drive our neighbours? The church isn’t the sole bearer of God’s Spirit, we can learn from what’s already happening.”
Stories of transformation
The podcast highlights inspiring stories of transformation. In Lincoln, one parish with strained relationships with local youth shifted its approach. Instead of treating young people as a problem, the church partnered with the council to create a gym inside the church building.
The result? A group of once-disruptive young people found a sense of ownership and pride in the space. “They’re not going to throw stones at a church that feels like theirs,” Alastair said.
Looking ahead
When asked about the future of the church, Alastair acknowledged anxiety over decline in attendance and aging congregations. But he urged a shift in perspective.
“Even if the church declines, God isn’t declining,” he said. “The Spirit is at work in our neighbourhoods.”
Advice for churches
Alastair closed with two pieces of advice for churches seeking to engage their communities:
- Listen deeply – to God, to neighbours, and within the church itself, especially to voices often overlooked.
- Build relationships – not as short-term strategies, but as long-term commitments to love and partnership.
If you’d like to find our more about the Reconciling Mission programme, visit this web page.