HELEN SHEPHERD, of St Padarn’s Institute, presented a report from the Llais Conference on Pioneer Ministry.
She said that pioneers were engaging people beyond the edges of normal churches, through fresh expressions or exploring faith churches.
After a debate, the motion was carried: That the Governing Body welcome the creative initiatives in pioneer ministry in the Church in Wales and enforce the strategic work being undertaken to provide a provincial and diocesan framework for this developing ministry.
The Deputy Chairman of the Representative Body, Sir Paul Silk, introduced a discussion on Hope Street, a resource church in Wrexham based in a former Burton store (News, 19 July), for which the diocese of St Asaph had received a grant of £2 million.
Diane McCarthy, Diocesan Secretary of St Asaph, said that Hope Street had been opened to reach the 97 per cent who did not attend church, especially those under the age of 40. Hope Street was chosen because it was in the heart of Wrexham, which was undergoing regeneration. “We will be where people already are.”
Tracy White, Director of Resourcing, described some of the partnerships that Hope Street had formed in Wrexham. By its sixth year, it was hoped that there would be 675 people attending Hope Street, and that two new churches would have been planted.
The Archdeacon of Wrexham, the Ven. John Lomas (St Asaph), said that he prayed for the “lost generation”: “Sheep tend to get lost when they find something better to do. . . We were putting a huge amount on the line with this project.” Archdeacon Lomas said that it was amazing that the town council supported the church.
The Revd Mark Griffiths, St Padarn’s Institute, then presented the Membership and Finance Report 2018. He spoke of midweek communions, coffee sessions, and other case studies. Evangelism meant the “transformation of all human life”.
The Governing Body took note of the report.