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Certificate in Mission Practice

Missional Skills Development for Lay and Ordained People and Recognized Missioners

This is a two-year certificate course. Year one classes start Wednesday, September 8th, 2025, 5:30-7:30 pm

Year One – A: Foundations for Mission Practice

Year Two – B: Developing Proficiency for Mission Practice

This unique hands-on training course is designed for both lay and ordained people who feel called to be involved and lead Mission Initiatives and for those who want to develop specific skills to be recognised Missioners.

The Certificate in Mission Practice is a two-year, praxis-oriented formation journey designed to equip both lay and ordained individuals with the theological, pastoral, and practical tools needed to lead contextual mission initiatives within Anglican and ecumenical settings.

Rooted in deep theological reflection and real-world application, this course integrates monthly online learning with in-person mentoring to cultivate the competencies required for pioneering new ecclesial communities, leading fresh expressions of church, and accompanying others in mission. Participants engage with a broad spectrum of missional contexts—particularly among the de-churched, unchurched, and spiritual-but-not-religious—while developing a mission theology grounded in Anglican tradition and shaped by contemporary realities.

What sets this course apart is its immersive model of learning through doing. Each student identifies and leads an actual mission initiative throughout the program, supported by a locally based mentor and structured assignments that draw on contextual theology, the Fresh Expressions process, and spiritual formation. The course emphasizes not only intellectual growth but also emotional and spiritual maturity, inviting students to explore how their prayer life and engagement with Scripture are transformed through mission practice. Culminating in a portfolio that documents the student’s journey and theological reflections, this program offers a holistic and rigorous pathway for those discerning a call to serve God’s mission with creativity, courage, and faithfulness.

Instructor

Diocesan Community Missioner

The Reverend Canon Dr. Ian Mobsby

How it Works

1

Attend Monthly Online Learning

Students will participate in online classroom sessions via Zoom with the teacher-practitioner.
2

Participate Monthly in Local Contextual Mission Activity

Under the supervision and one-on-one guidance from a local mentor such as a parish rector, curate, deacon, etc.
3

Bi-Monthly Meetings with Diocesan Missioner

On a bi-monthly basis you will meet with the Diocesan Missioner, the Reverend Canon Ian Mobsby for a period of one-on-one mentorship.

Course Outline

Year One

1 and 2. Understanding of Anglican & Ecumenical Mission
3. What is Missioner Ministry?
4. What is a Mixed Ecology as a context of Mission?
5. What is Church Planting & Fresh Expressions of Church/contextual mission?
6. Different ways of seeing the Church or Ecclesial Community
7. Different ways of engaging with culture and opening up Christian faith and belief
8. FX Process – Listening
9. FX Process – Loving Service

Course Dates for Year One 2025 - 2026

Zoom sessions are on one Wednesday a month from 5:30-7:30 pm

  • Wednesday, October 8th, 2025
  • Wednesday, November 12th, 2025
  • Wednesday, January 21st, 2026
  • Wednesday, February 18th, 2026

  • Wednesday, March 18th, 2026
  • Wednesday, April 22nd, 2026
  • Wednesday, May 20th, 2026
  • Wednesday, June 10th, 2026

Ready to Start?

Year Two

1 and 2. Understanding of Anglican & Ecumenical Mission
3. What is Missioner Ministry?
4. What is a Mixed Ecology as a context of Mission?
5. What is Church Planting & Fresh Expressions of Church/contextual mission?
6. Different ways of seeing the Church or Ecclesial Community
7. Different ways of engaging with culture and opening up Christian faith and belief
8. FX Process – Listening
9. FX Process – Loving Service