Overview

'Mixed ecology' is a term use to describe how traditional parishes co-exist with fresh expressions, church plants and pioneer ministries. Ed Olsworth-Peter explores what an integrated mixed ecology of Church looks like in a post pandemic world. As society begins to come to terms with the cultural and financial impacts of the last couple of years, the way we meet as church and how we reach out to those within our communities needs to be reconsidered. The Church of England's new vision and strategy includes three priorities one of which is that 'mixed ecology is the norm'. Much has been written about the mixed economy/ecology of Church over the last 15 years across a range of traditions and denominations, but what hasn't been explored as such is the connectivity and dependency between different local expressions of church, and the value of 'co-growing' alongside one another for their mutual health and missional development. More than ever there is a need for the church to be 'one body' - unified yet distinctive, aware of the gift of its breadth in a 'global' ecosystem that together recognises and resources different expressions of church. This book will help church leaders and worshipping communities to understand their place within the mixed ecology, the value of growing their own local ecosystem, and how to develop a physically gathered, digital and hybrid ecology of Church. Offering cultural, ecclesiological and missional insights, coupled with practical application, it draws on the voices of respected theologians, authors and church leaders in the UK and USA.

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9780281089376

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Wise, generous and invigorating, Ed Olsworth-Peter’s exceptional volume is a gift to the church.’ -- The Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, Bishop of Kensington Ed explores, in creative, visual and attractive ways, a mixed ecology approach which is coherent, culturally-savvy and adaptable to a wide variety of contexts. -- Mike Harrison, Bishop of Dunwich ‘his is a beautiful book about connectivity, conversations and collaborations. It helps us see the Church as a living eco-system and encourages us to let it grow. Images and ideas abound for practitioners to imagine and then create a Church of diverse praise.’ -- The Revd Dr Victoria Johnson, Dean of Chapel, St John’s College, Cambridge and member of The College of Archbishops’ Evangelists A powerful and timely reminder that . . . every variety of time-honoured and new worshipping community . . . will better serve the mission of God by embracing their interconnectedness and interdependence. -- The Rt Revd Saju Muthalaly, Bishop of Loughborough Ed Olsworth-Peter is the sympathetic ecologist we need. -- The Revd Canon Dr Mark Powley, Archbishop’s Mission Enabler for the North What a treat of a read, full of vivid and varied illustrations to bring the points home and studded with fascinating insights from contemporary thinkers and practitioners. Ed brings his warm enthusiasm and gentle generosity to this timely exploration of what mixed ecology can be at its best. -- Lucy Moore, Head of the Growing Faith Foundation and founder of Messy Church We live in a season when the Holy Spirit is inspiring a range of forms of Christian community to connect with neighbours where they are . . . Mixed Ecology explores this terrain with wisdom, insight, and practical advice for leaders at all levels of the church.. -- Dwight Zscheile, Vice President of Innovation and Professor of Congregational Mission and Leadership, Luther Seminary, St Paul, Minnesota Ed is a master of the metaphor. Here he adds depth and complexity to what has proved to be the incredibly generative image of the mixed ecology in churches. -- The Revd Dr Will Foulger, Vicar of St Nics, Durham A rich, thoughtful book that will be of great help to incumbents, missioners, planters, pioneers, innovators and senior leaders. Ed’s heart for the church and its mission – along with a generosity that enables the whole body to be joined together and mutually supportive in its ecosystem – shines through. -- Jonny Baker, CMS Britain Hub mission director

Author Information

Ed Olsworth-Peter (Author) Ed Olsworth-Peter is Director of Innovation and Development at St Mellitus Theological College where he teaches on missional ecclesiology, mixed ecology, Pioneer Ministry and Ministry Discernment. He is an experienced conference speaker and has delivered talks nationally and internationally. He was previously the National Adviser for Pioneer Development for the Church of England, responsible for implementing and overseeing a strategy for the vocation, training and deployment of lay and ordained pioneers. Ed has been ordained since 2004 and has been a Parish Priest, a Pioneer Minister, a Diocesan Adviser and a Theatre Chaplain in London's West End.

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