Crucible runs three intensive training weekends each year to equip Christians to follow Jesus on the margins. And on each weekend are two of the courses to choose from.

On the margins

Christians across western culture are facing profound challenges and fresh opportunities. The long era of 'Christendom' is coming to an end. We now live in a plural society, with multiple religious options alongside the prevailing secular assumptions, in which Christianity has lost its position of dominance and privilege and churches are on the margins of society. Although we seem to be declining in numbers and influence, this context offers many new possibilities – if we have the courage and imagination to grasp them. The Crucible Course sets out to help you with this.

Crucible is for Christians with courage and imagination, who suspect:

• We need to operate as cross-cultural missionaries because we live in a cross-cultural mission context.
• We need to think creatively about incarnating the gospel and planting new kinds of churches in emerging and diverse cultures.
• We need to recover the biblical vision of shalom and reflect on how we live as followers of Jesus in light of this all-embracing vision.
• We need to pay particular attention to the margins, because we serve the God who frequently does new things there:
• On the margins of society among the poor and disenfranchised.
• At the margins of culture, where creative thinking explores new possibilities.
• On the margins of the familiar, the spaces all around us, neglected or ignored, but full of potential.

Who runs the course?

The course was developed by Andrew Grinnell, Juliet Kilpin and Stuart Murray Williams and is running in partnership with Urban Expression, 614UK (Salvation Army Initiaitve), Incarnate Network, Northumbria Community, Workshop and BMS World Mission, and in association with the Cafechurch Network.

What does the course involve?

Crucible runs three intensive training weekends each year to equip Christians to follow Jesus on the margins. Two streams are available on each weekend. Each stream flows separately, but the subjects can be done in any combination:

Crucible Course Stream 1

• After Christendom (5-6 November 2011) investigates the many opportunities, as well as the challenges, that the end of imperial Christianity presents.

• Urban Challenge (28-29 January 2012) examines the dynamics of mission and ministry in our multicultural urban communities, where Christendom has faded first.

• Creating New Churches (12-13 May 2012) offers resources for pioneering new churches – and new kinds of churches – in emerging cultures, and renewing existing churches.

Crucible Course Stream 2

• Restoring Hope (5-6 November 2011) explores how, in light of God's mission to bring shalom (peace) to all creation, we can live towards that hope and create communities of peace.

• Becoming Human (28-29 January 2012) probes the dynamics of discipleship and asks how we can become more fully human as followers of the Son of Man.

• Jesus Unplugged (12-13 May 2012) imagines how we might re-tell the story of Jesus today in
  ways that connect with contemporary cultures.

Placements

Participants will also be offered opportunities for year-long or short-term placements in various contexts – to work out in practice what they learn on these weekends.

Additional Details

Venue: International Mission Centre, 24 Weoley Park Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham B29 6QX

Cost: £50 per weekend or £130 for all three. Accommodation and meals at the International Mission Centre or nearby can also be booked through the course administrator.

More information: To find out more about the course visit: www.cruciblecourse.org.uk or contact us at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

 

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