For Bishops and senior staff looking to sponsor a group in the Reconciling Mission programme

How can we envision and equip Christians and churches to be agents for reconciliation in divided communities and societies? How can local churches be engaged more deeply with their neighbourhoods, building on the gifts and strengths within the community?

If, as a bishop or senior staff person, you’re pondering questions such as these, then you’ll want to consider sponsoring a group to participate in the Reconciling Mission programme. The Reconciling Mission process is focused on resourcing participants with a vision for mission as part of joining in God's reconciling work, marked by deep engagement with local communities, along with tools for the church to play a creative role in promoting reconciliation within society, building on the gifts and assets within local neighbourhoods.

For more information, please download the Reconciling Mission 2025 (5th cohort) brochure.

What would I be committing myself to?

If your diocese sponsors a group, you and your group will be committing yourselves to the following:

• Identifying and investing in a diverse group of four, five or six participants;
• Meeting with your group in advance to clarify hopes and expectations.

During the initial Reconciling Mission residential week, the group members will develop a provisional plan for implementation in their own parishes or ministry contexts.

Over the following 18 months, your diocesan group will participate in a series of small online video gatherings, with each of the other participating diocesan teams. These gatherings are designed as action learning groups and will be facilitated by one of RI's facilitators.

You can also expect that you or one of the senior staff will meet occasionally with your team to discuss their progress; and that one of you will accompany your group to the day conference at the conclusion of the programme.

After the conclusion, your group members will also be able to be part of an ongoing community of practice, the Reconciling Mission Network.

Who should I sponsor as participants?

Your five participants will typically be experienced clergy in parish ministry, including ideally one member of the Cathedral staff. (Suitable lay people may be included if they can commit the time involved, for example, if they work for the diocese; and if they are committed members of a local church and confident about engaging with a group of mostly clergy.)

Your group should be selected against criteria such as:

• A mix of genders (usually 2/3);
• Experienced leaders, people of emotional maturity;
• Collaborative leaders, who welcome working in partnership with others;
• Participants representing the diversity of their Diocese, including ethnic diversity;
• Participants of relative geographical proximity, for ease of face-to-face meetings.

Ideally, participants will also previously have:

• Completed foundational training in handling conflict; and
• Developed group process and facilitation skills.

Once you have identified a group of four, five or six participants, please contact our director, Alastair McKay, at [email protected]. Then invite each team member to read the relevant pages of this website, including the Reconciling Mission 2025 (5th cohort) brochure, and to complete the application form.

What’s it going to cost my diocese?

The proposed contribution for the Reconciling Mission programme beginning in May 2025 is GBP £1,095 per participant.

This contribution, which meets around two thirds of the delivery costs, gives full participation in the programme, including the residential learning week, the ongoing group coaching sessions, and two day conferences. RI covers the balance of the costs involved from our reserves.

The diocese or province will also need to cover each participant's travel costs to the conference meeting venues, and hotel costs the night before the day conferences, if needed.