Newbigin Pioneering Hub
We are very pleased to announce our partnership in the Newbigin Pioneering Hub.
This is a collaboration between United Reformed Church, the Congregational Federation, Church Mission Society and Seedbeds and named in honour of the inspirational URC Minister and mission theologian, Lesslie Newbigin. This new venture is open to all and part of celebrating the past 50 years of the United Reformed Church and Congregational Federation by investing our future in local communities.
Do you see ...
- New possibilities?
- A way where there is no way?
- Ideas for mission in your community that just might work?
- A new community of disciples where there is none?
- How your local community can flourish in God’s love and shalom, but know this can’t happen alone?
If you can see even a glimpse of any of these, then come and be part of the Newbigin Pioneering Hub and see if your hopes can be realised together with us.
Introducing the ‘Newbigin Pioneering Hub’
It is a collaboration between the United Reformed Church, the Congregational Federation, Church Mission Society and the Seedbeds organisation and named in honour of the inspirational URC Minister and mission theologian Lesslie Newbigin. This new venture is open to all and is part of celebrating the past 50 years of the United Reformed Church and Congregational Federation.
The Hub is the space for training lay pioneers through the certificate and also for supporting those engaged in pioneering work. The desire is that we bring people together to support one another - sharing experience and expertise in the Hub as well as offering support to those engaged in training.
Could God be calling you to step out in faith with us to see your God- given dreams in your local community flourish in faith, hope and love?
‘’The Newbigin Course is where everyone’s opinion is valued and appreciated. There are no right or wrong answers and all ideas and suggestions are taken into consideration when discussing ways to move forward in our communities"
‘The CMS Certificate in Pioneering Mission’ 2025/26
This is the foundational course designed and led by experienced pioneering practitioners, for practitioners. Church Mission Society has offered this course around the UK and will now make it available to all, rooted in the United Reformed Church in partnership with the Congregational Federation, and planted in a live pioneering context in inner city Birmingham.
2025-2026 Cohort 4
Orientation/Induction zoom: Facilitator - Ash Barker
10am Saturday 20 September 2025. Lodge Road Community Church
Module 1: Pioneering Mission: Facilitators - Ash Barker & Danielle Wilson
Residential Friday 26 - Sunday 28 September 2025. Newbigin House and Lodge Road Community Church
Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 8 October 2025
Coaching: w/c 13 October 2025
Module 2: Mission Spirituality: Facilitators - Natalie Burfitt & Simon Cross
In person 10am-4pm Saturday 8 & online 6:30-9pm Wednesday 12 November 2025.
Lodge Road Community Church
Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 3 December 2025
Coaching: w/c 8 December 2025
Module 3: Church and Mission: Dave & Sally Mann
In person 10am-4pm Saturday 24 & online 6:30-9pm Wednesday 28 January 2026.
Seedbeds Centre, East Ham, London
Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 11 February 2026
Coaching: w/c 16 February 2026
Module 4: Community Development: Anji Barker & Tim Evans
Residential Friday 6 - Sunday 8 March 2026. Newbigin House and Lodge Road Community Church
Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 8 April 2026
Coaching: w/c 13 April 2026
Module 5: Mission and the Bible: John & Olive Drane
Online 6:30-9pm Wednesday 6 & in person 10am-4pm Saturday 23 May 2026.
Lodge Road Community Church & online
Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 10 June 2026
Coaching: w/c 15 June 2026
Module 6: Missional Enterprise: Ash Barker & Karen Ferguson
Residential Friday 10 - Sunday 12 July 2026. Newbigin House and Lodge Road Community Church
Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 15 July 2026
Coaching: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 15 July 2026
Pitch to Panel and Graduation:
10am-3pm Saturday 18 July 2026. Lodge Road Community Church
Would you join us in this new venture?
In the first instance, please contact us for more information and to start the conversation of how you could be involved.
Costs:
‘CMS Certificate of Pioneering’ programme: £600 for six modules or £300 for an approved URC or Congregational Federation Participant. In order to access this discount please ensure you contact us via email on training@congregational.org.uk in the first instance.
‘Community of Pioneers’ community membership: £24 annually.
The Congregational Federation has secured generous funding which will enable people to access this training at no cost. Contact us for more details.
Newbigin Pioneering Hub programme endorsement
