What does mission look like in the church today? For some, it still feels like hard work, carrying the weight of responsibility, chasing numbers, and striving to bring more people into the pews.
The Reconciling Mission programme offers a different vision. It helps clergy and communities rediscover mission not as a burden, but as a joy, rooted in recognising where God is already at work.
Alastair, the programme director, describes the shift simply:
“Yes, we’re called to contribute, but it really rests on God’s shoulders primarily.”
Mission, he explains, is not about doing more but learning to pay attention: spotting the quiet signs of the Holy Spirit in neighbours, communities, and everyday life beyond church walls.
One participant reflected on the course:
“It gave me permission to slow down, to listen to what God was whispering, and to be brave enough to step in.”
In a culture that prizes speed, growth, and bigger numbers, Reconciling Mission offers a refreshing alternative: gentleness, attentiveness, and trust in God’s timing.
The insight from John Wesley, theologian and evangelist, that Christians are called to “make disciples, not converts” also resonates with the programme.
For Jo, this has reshaped how she sees her village:
“There are loads of folk who are following. They might not be sitting in my pews on a Sunday, but they are part of this missional activity.”
Sometimes the most unlikely people surprise her. One neighbour even told her:
“You’ve taught us how to love.”
The programme also focuses on practical steps. In Jo’s community, the Anglican and Methodist churches joined forces to open a tea room, run on donations. Not only has it become a meeting place, but it also raises funds to support youth work.
The impact went further than expected:
“What’s interesting is more enthusiasm and more people who we thought were on the fringes have drawn closer because they’ve seen Kingdom work.”
At its core, Jo views Reconciling Mission as about giving people permission: permission to notice God’s presence, permission to love, permission to trust that mission is God’s work first.
And when people catch that vision, the results can be transformative for leaders, congregations, and communities.
For Bishops and senior staff, the programme offers a way of resourcing their clergy for mission afresh, that avoids burn out or chasing unrealistic targets.
For clergy participants, it is a chance to rediscover joy in ministry, confidence in community, and courage to walk at the Spirit’s pace.
Find out more The Reconciling Mission course is open to clergy who want to explore mission as grace, not burden.