Mission Communities
In the Diocese of Exeter all churches are attached to a Mission Community, essentially a unit within which the mission and ministry of the Church can be best exercised. This may be a single parish church, it may be a partnership between churches and various organizations and institutions (such as HE & FE colleges, police forces, barracks etc.) or it may be a group of parishes working together with a shared ministry team.
The reason for this is to return focus to the core callings of being in mission and being in community. It is also a way in which often stretched ministerial resources can be allocated in a creative manner. Mission Communities came about in the wake of a report called Moving On In Mission and Ministry adopted in the mid 2000s, the result of a working party on future patterns of ministry. This did not just consider clergy deployment, but how the church engages with changing church involvement in the community and patterns of ministry.
For a particular group of five small rural parishes in East Devon becoming a Mission Community was a natural progression. They had been a United Benefice for some time and through various members of the churches, they embarked on a journey to becoming a Mission Community. It was decided a new name was needed for this grouping, to reflect a break from previous ways of working and to make a statement about the lively and
dynamic forms of ministry already taking place. After a few suggestions it was agreed that this new name should be the ‘Five Alive Mission Community’ (5AMC) and once misgivings about fruit juice were laid to rest this was settled on. A logo was designed and the Mission Community was first commended to the Diocese, then celebrated as the first Mission Community in the Diocese in 2007.
A Mission Community stands or falls on the involvement of the wider church community. In 5AMC an enthusiastic group of lay members, Readers, a Self Supporting Minister and stipendiary Vicar and Curate are learning new
ways of working together, endeavouring to support individual, distinctive, active parish churches in
their unique ministry whilst learning to be something new and to share responsibilities across the parishes.
Of course it isn’t all plain sailing. Wheels grind slowly in rural East Devon and like most church communities there is anxiety about change. The attitude of ‘that’s the Vicar’s job’ is still often found around the parishes. However, pastoral teams, a dedicated ministry team and constant repetition of ‘no, it’s the church’s job’ is just starting to get the message across that all Christian people have a part in ministering and sharing the Gospel.
Many good things have happened and are happening around 5AMC. The churches are keen to explore provision for youth and children’s ministry, ecumenical partnerships, shared teaching and worship. There is a discussion group that meets in a pub, exploration of informal and formal worship styles and Messy Church sessions along with a rich tapestry of different styles of worship all through the week, offering plenty to build on. 5AMC is a living, growing, learning Christian Community.
Alastair McCollum Five Alive Mission Community, Devon 22 www. countryway. org. uk
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