Mustard Seed Features in National Report

On Wednesday 8th February, Heather Black, Mustard Seed programme leader joined the National Estate Churches Network (NECN) and the Church of England’s Estates Evangelism Task Group (EETG) to launch a report ‘Growing Leaders on Urban Estates’ at a fringe event at General Synod. The Mustard Seed Stepping Up programme is featured as one of four urban leadership formation and development pathways within the report.

The launch event included the premiere of a film, introducing the Stepping Up programme. The Stepping Up journey is narrated by five people who have completed the year-long programme, with reflections from local clergy, as well as Mustard Seed staff. We invite you to take five minutes to enjoy the film and be inspired!

The Church Army’s Research Unit, led by Dr Andy Wier, have been working closely with the Mustard Seed programme to evaluate Stepping Up and explore ‘how God is at work.’ Heather Black says:

“We are delighted to be able to share the Stepping Up story within this national report, and thank everyone who has had the courage to share their Stepping Up journey. Every week we see people growing in faith and in their confidence for mission. The film and report celebrate the potential of each person, pointing to the growth of the Kingdom of God, from the ‘smallest of seeds’. (Mark 4:30-32)”

L to R Andy Wier, (Church Army) Chloe Ewen (Benefact Trust) Heather Black, (Mustard Seed), Rebecca Roberts (M Power), Dave Champness (EETG), Sara Barron (NECN)

Dr Tim Ling, Church Army’s Director of Learning and Development, writes in the report’s afterword:

“This report encourages us to pay attention to those margins. In paying attention, we have gained an understanding of how growing leaders is possible and a sense of what the ‘Lord is already doing’. I suggest that we should be humble and humbled by the reality that as we take time to look, time to be truly present, that we see faithful service and signs of God’s grace all around.”