By focusing on “blessing the community” rather than “filling the pews,” St Andrew’s offers a compelling vision of what Reconciling Mission looks like in practice. Alastair McKay and David Brubaker, authors of the new book Reconciling Mission, joined members of St Andrew’s Presbyterian Church in Charleston, SC, in the USA, to discuss how faith groups can move beyond traditional boundaries to … Read more
We are pleased to share a recent review from the journal Practical Theology of the new book by our own Alastair McKay and co-author David Brubaker: Reconciling Mission: Realizing God’s Reign through Community Engagement. In her hugely positive review, Krista Ashlock describes the book as a “road map” for churches and organizations seeking to bridge the gap between their congregations and their local neighbourhoods. The review points to good reasons … Read more
We’re pleased to announce that Reconciliation Initiatives is welcoming Partnership for Missional Church (PMC) into the RI fold. PMC has been a demanding 3-year culture change process in local churches, based on solid research and involving the application of six core spiritual practices alongside the development of “spiritual leadership.” PMC was incorporated into the Church … Read more
Over the past 18 months, clergy from the Dioceses of Bristol, Leeds, Lincoln and York – our 4th cohort – have completed the Reconciling Mission programme. This course helps participants reimagine traditional parish ministry through being more attentive one’s neighbours and what God is doing in the local community. Programme participants gathered last week at Coventry Cathedral to mark the conclusion of the 4th cohort’s journey, and the mid-way point for the 5th cohort, from Durham, Newcastle and Southwark Dioceses. For many, the programme has provided some sanctuary from the intense busyness … Read more
In this conversation, Alastair McKay (UK) and David Brubaker (USA) sit down to discuss their new book, Reconciling Mission. Drawing on decades of experience working with congregations on both sides of the Atlantic, they explore how churches can embrace a more human focus: neighbourliness. Instead of trying to “save” the church through better music or … Read more
Becoming More Patient During a lesson with a tennis coach last year, the coach picked up on the need for me to be more patient in my tennis game. He challenged me to keep looking to get the ball back into play rather than trying to hit a winner. As I’ve worked on this, my … Read more
Next week, Bishop Moira Astin, Chair of Trustees, and Revd Dr Alastair McKay, Executive Director of Reconciliation Initiatives (RI), prepare to travel to Kenya as RI hosts its first-ever residential training for bishops and their spouses from the Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK). The conference will take place from 27 October to 1 November, bringing … Read more
In the latest and final episode of the Reconciling Mission podcast season 1, host Mina Munns sat down with Revd Lydia Morey, priest-in-charge of St Peter’s Penhill and St Philip’s Upper Stratton in Swindon, to talk about why failure isn’t something to fear. Listen here >> Lydia serves in what’s known as a ‘priority community’: … Read more
The latest episode of the Reconciling Mission podcast features Revd Richard Westwood, Team Vicar of St Anne’s, Chasetown in Lichfield Diocese who reflects on how the Reconciling Mission programme has reshaped his church’s approach to community engagement. Listen here >> The challenges and gifts of context Richard described the realities of his parish: families facing … Read more
Participating in the conversation A big encouragement for RI earlier this year was the Being Missional Today conference in June hosted at Coventry Cathedral. We received feedback from a third of those attending – a high response rate from such a large group. This feedback was hugely affirming and encouraging. There were a few things to improve. But … Read more