Introducing the ‘Newbigin Pioneering Hub’

We are a collaboration between United Reformed Church, Congregational Federation, Church Mission Society and Seedbeds and named in honour of the inspirational URC Minister and mission theologian, Lesslie Newbigin. This 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.

 Our mission is:

‘To discover, nurture, empower and release a new Community of Pioneers, able to see God’s love and shalom flourish in their local communities.’

Rev Dr Ash Barker, who leads the Newbigin Pioneering Hub from Winson Green, inner city Birmingham, says,

“We long for every local community to flourish in God’s love and shalom, but know so many neighbourhoods are missing out right now. I believe this new venture can unearth a new generation of Pioneers, ready to be planted personally in local places and able to grow people into new communities of hope, faith and compassion wherever Jesus has called them to serve. We have hard-won insights from experienced Pioneers that can help form, guide and inspire a new generation of Pioneers from here.”

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?

Join us for:

• The CMS awarded Certificate in Pioneer Mission
• Forming a new “Community of Pioneers”
• Applying to become a URC Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer
• The Newbigin Annual Public Lecture
• Taster Events in Winson Green 

The CMS awarded Certificate in Pioneer Mission

This is our foundational course designed and led by experienced pioneering practitioners, for practitioners. Church Mission Society offers this course around the UK and now it’s 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.

The course starts in September and includes 6 units run over 3 weekend residentials, seminars  at Lodge Road Community Church, Birmingham on 3 full Saturdays in-person and 3 Wednesday evenings online, as well as online learning circles and personal coaching. There is also a final pitch of your pioneering project to a resource panel and graduation. Certificates are awarded following submission of 6 assignments, and payment of fees, giving the option to become a URC Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer..

Costs:

£600 includes six modules or
£300 for an approved URC or Congregational Federation Participant.

For help with funding and other support please talk to your local church, synod or apply for a Discipleship Development Fund grant. 

Here’s what some of the pioneers from Cohorts 1 – 3 said about the programme:

“My journey with the Newbigin Pioneer Hub, enabled me to find my “True North,” my true self, as I tentatively explored the idea that I might in fact be called to Lay Pioneer Ministry. The teaching and thought-provoking conversations with like-
minded people at the Hub was a truly freeing and enriching experience, which has left me hungry for more. I will never be the person I was before I started this journey, and for that I am better.”  Wendy Hall 

Wendy Hall has also now become Newbigin Pioneering Hub’s first URC Assembly Accredited Lay Pioneer – read more here. 

“Being a minister now in my 8th year of retirement, I am always reminded of the words of dismissal after some of the services, ‘Go in peace [into the world] to love and serve the Lord…,’ and now I hear them addressed to me sitting in the congregation. I asked myself, ‘how can I now do this as a member?’ The NPH programme of training in Pioneering Mission came as a solution. I felt like God is calling me again into Mission. After completing the training, it is as if I found a new compass in my 3rd age. I am so grateful for this new opportunity and I would recommend to others including seniors like me to enrol in the course and ‘join God in what he is doing in the community.’ The course sharpened my blunt tools and I hope with God’s help to emulate those who are ahead of us and like them leave a trace behind for God’s glory.” Malachie Munyaneza

“When I started this course I didn’t even think I’d get to the first assignment. I am not only so proud to have completed the course but learnt so much and met some wonderful inspiring people along the way. As a sit on the fence Christian I can definitely say I have taken a great leap and am looking forward to my pioneering journey in my community and home, Winson Green.” Sarah Bruce

“I have been re-ignited and inspired to get up and get going again.” Ruth Green 

“I have been inspired and awakened.” Lorraine Pailing

“This course has been the most freeing experience of my life, enabling me to truly understand who God has called me to be.” Donna Hope-Barry

“A life affirming opportunity to journey and learn with other misfits.” Soobie Whitfield

“Empowered to just do it.” Trevor Pailing

“Empowered, inspired and opened up to be and do more that I thought possible.” Julie Ann Read

“What an amazing journey of self growth.” Bev Lyne

2025-26 Programme

These are our six units and when they’re offered:

• Orientation/Induction: Facilitator – Ash Barker
• 10am Saturday 20 September 2025 at Lodge Road Community Church and on zoom
• Module 1, Pioneering Mission: Facilitators – Ash Barker and Danielle Wilson
• Friday 26 – Sunday 28 September 2025 residential, Newbigin House & 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 and Simon Cross
• 10am-4pm Saturday 8 November 2025 in person at Lodge Road Community Church
• 6:30-9pm Wednesday 12 November 2025 on zoom.
• Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 3 December 2025.
• Coaching: w/c 8 December 2025
• Module 3, Church and Mission: Facilitators – Dave Mann, Sally Mann and Julian Templeton
• 10am-4pm Saturday 24 January 2026 in person at Seedbeds Centre, East Ham, London
• 6:30-9pm Wednesday 28 January 2026 on zoom.
• Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 11 February 2026.
• Coaching: w/c 16 February 2026
• Module 4, Community Development: Facilitators – Tim Evans and Anji Barker
• Friday 6 – Sunday 8 March 2026 residential, Newbigin House & 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: Facilitators – John and Olive Drane 
• 6:30-9pm Wednesday 6 May 2026 on zoom.
• 10am-4pm Saturday 23 May 2026 in person at Lodge Road Community Church
• 11am-1pm Sunday 24 May 2026 in person at Lodge Road Community Church 
• Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 10 June  2026.
• Coaching: w/c 15 June 2026
• Module 6, Missional Enterprise: Facilitators – Ash Barker and Karen Ferguson
• Friday 10 – Sunday 12 July 2026 residential, Newbigin House & Lodge Road Community Church.       
• Online Learning Circle & Coaching: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 15 July 2026
• Pitch to Panel and Graduation:
• 10am-3pm Saturday 25 July 2026 in person at Lodge Road Community Church

2026-27 Programme Dates

• Orientation/Induction: 10am Saturday 12 September 2026 at Lodge Road Community Church and on zoom
• Module 1, Pioneering Mission: Friday 25 – Sunday 27 September 2026 residential, Newbigin House & Lodge Road Community Church. Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 7 October 2026. Coaching: w/c 12 October 2026 
• Module 2, Mission Spirituality: 10am-4pm Saturday 14 November 2026 in person at Lodge Road Community Church & 6:30-9pm Wednesday 18 November 2026 on zoom. Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 2 December 2026. Coaching: w/c 7 December 2026
• Module 3, Church and Mission: 10am-4pm Saturday 23 January 2027 in person at Seedbeds Centre, East Ham, London & 6:30-9pm Wednesday 27 January 2027 on zoom. Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 10 February 2027. Coaching: w/c 15 February 2027
• Module 4, Community Development: Friday 5 – Sunday 7 March 2027 residential, Newbigin House & Lodge Road Community Church.  Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 7 April 2027. Coaching: w/c 12 April 2027
• Module 5, Mission and the Bible: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 5 May 2027 on zoom, 10am-4pm Saturday 22 May 2027 in person at Lodge Road Community Church and 11am-1pm Sunday 23 May 2027 in person at Lodge Road Community Church . Online Learning Circle: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 16 June 2027. Coaching: w/c 21 June 2027
• Module 6, Missional Enterprise: Friday 9 – Sunday 11 July 2027 residential, Newbigin House & Lodge Road Community Church.        Online Learning Circle & Coaching: 6:30-9pm Wednesday 14 July 2027
• Pitch to Panel and Graduation: 10am-3pm Saturday 24 July 2027 in person at Lodge Road Community Church

Forming a new “Community of Pioneering”

We aim to discover, nurture, empower and release a new generation of Pioneers. This will include helping Pioneers connect with new mission contexts, pathways, retreats and coaching. We believe we can go further and deeper in our calling as Pioneers if we connect together well. We will form this ‘Community of Pioneers’ out of those who currently identify as Pioneers as well as those coming through the ‘Certificate in Pioneer Mission.’

Online Taster Events

These are opportunities to connect, find out more and ask questions about the ‘Community of Pioneers’ and the ‘Certificate in Pioneer Mission’ programme that is run by the ‘Newbigin Pioneering Hub’.

The next online taster event will take place in June 2026, date tbc, with the opportunity to ask any questions about the pioneering programme on zoom with Rev Dr Ash Barker. Starting at 6:30pm, log in on zoom. 

“The Church in each place is to be the sign, instrument and foretaste of the reign of God present in Christ for that place; a sign, planted in the midst of the present realities of the place but pointing beyond them to the future which God has promised; an instrument available for God’s use in the doing of his will for that place; a foretaste – manifesting and enjoying already in the midst of the messianic tribulations a genuine foretaste of the peace and joy of God’s reign.” – Lesslie Newbigin

The Newbigin Annual Public Lecture

To stimulate Christians into more thoughtful and deeper engagement in the places they live and serve, we offer a public lecture with a high profile Christian leader who embodies a contemporary spirit of Lesslie Newbigin. In previous years this has included: Dr Steve Bevans (2018), Dr Krish Kandiah (2019), John Newbigin and Dr Ash Barker (2021), Dr Cathy Ross (2022), Shane Claiborne (2023), Dr Deirdre Brower Latz (2024) and Professor Anthony G. Reddie (2025).

Next year’s Newbigin Annual Public Lecture will be delivered by Samuel Wells at 7pm (doors open 6pm) on Wednesday 3 June 2026 at Lodge Road Community Church, Winson Green, Birmingham B18 5BU.

Responses to be confirmed. 

Light finger food and refreshments will be provided. The event is free, but donations towards Seedbeds will be greatly appreciated.

Owen O’Brien talks about his experience on the Newbigin Pioneering Hub as part of Cohort 1 in 2022-23:

Would you join us in this new venture?

Fill in the application form to apply for 2025-26 programme.

Application Closing Date : Friday 12 September 2025.

Course fees paid by : Saturday 20 September 2025.

Costs:

CMS Certificate of Pioneering programme:
£600 includes six modules or
£300 for an approved URC or Congregational Federation Participant.

For help with funding and other support please talk to your local church, synod or apply for a Discipleship Development Fund grant

Newbigin Pioneering Hub
Lodge Road Community Church
143-4 Lodge Road, Winson Green
Birmingham B18 5BU