Mission community leaders from across Cumbria gathered for a special day of worship, learning and support focussing on discipleship.

More than 30 people came together at Rydal Hall – the Diocese of Carlisle’s Christian retreat and conference centre – for the event which was led by the Rev Jo Trickey from The London Institute for Contemporary Christianity.

Her presentation included a particular focus on the LICC’s 6M model to grow daily life disciples: modelling godly character, making good work, ministering grace and love, moulding culture, being a mouthpiece for truth and justice and being a messenger of the gospel.

Jo said: “I hope those mission community leaders who were here feel really curious about people in their church communities and what discipleship looks like for them in their everyday lives.

“I also hope that as they leave this event today, they will have a fresh understanding that Jesus is in every detail of people’s lives.”

The event was in support of the county’s God for All vision and strategy through which there are 34 mission communities across Cumbria – local groups of mutually supportive and collaborative churches with mission at their heart. Discipleship is one of six key areas for mission communities to focus on.

It was organised by Rachel Head, Diocesan Director of Mission and Ministry, Support and innovation, whose team oversees supporting leadership development for mission community leaders.

She said: “This event is one of two that we provide annually and through which we support our mission community leaders and their teams – clergy and lay leaders – to deliver the six areas that our mission communities are focussing on which includes encouraging and nurturing discipleship.

“We hope that the mission community leaders feel inspired by events like this. All of us recognise eth need to encourage and equip congregations in mission communities to live out their faith through everyday life discipleship. I hope our mission community leaders will leave with new energy, practical ideas and resources to help them achieve this.”

As well as listening to the presentation, delegates had the opportunity to network and chat with peers over lunch.

The Rev Robin Ham, mission community leader in Barrow, said: “I think the day has been great in encouraging me to see that those people who gather for church can make a real difference in their everyday lives. We want to help equip them to see that they do not have to separate out their Monday to Saturday lives from what happens on a Sunday.”

The Rev Dave Flicroft, from the Coast to Fells mission community in west Cumbria said: “What’s important for me from this event is to remember that people doing ordinary, everyday jobs are doing something missional. It’s helped to change my mind set about discipleship, and I hope that it will further help those everyday disciples in their individual contexts.”

The event was run as part of The Cumbrian Way project, developed after the Diocese of Carlisle was awarded £6.8 million by the Church of England to help Cumbrian churches grow missional, younger and more diverse faith communities.

A special Seat to Street podcast about the mission community leaders’ event is available on YouTube or via the Seat to Street Spotify channel.

ENDS

Notes to editors

For more information about God for All visit: https://godforall.org.uk/

For further information contact Dave Roberts, Diocesan Head of Communications, on 07469 153658 or at communications@carlislediocese.org.uk.