Heather Black, Mustard Seed Programme Leader, shares her reflections on Mustard Seed’s growth, and ethos of Sowing, Growing, Nesting.
The Mustard Seed Community continues to grow, with now over one hundred people who have joined the Stepping Up programme, a year of discipleship and formation for mission. Lay people who take part are drawn from parishes on the edge of our diocese ‘where life is tough.’ At the end of the year each person is invited to ‘step up’ in mission, using their gifts and lived experience to develop mission within their local community.
We are inspired by the mustard seed parable, each person like the smallest of seeds is full of potential to grow. We witness the growth and transformation that takes place during the Stepping Up year, people growing in faith and confidence to share the Good News of Jesus in their local community. Each person is involved in ‘nest building’ using the gifts and resources they find within themselves, their church and community to build spaces where people can feel at home. Each nest is shaped by the local people and place: youth clubs, community cafes, food pantries, toddler groups, family activities and so much more.
We recently gathered as a Mustard Seed Community at Wydale Hall, with guest speaker Laurence Singlehurst. We had an excellent day exploring this model of mission: ‘Sowing, Growing, Nesting.’; the journey from first sowing seeds of the gospel to people nesting and finding a home in the family of God. We noticed the importance of listening and being with people on their journey from first contact with the church, that we need to listen to their stories and build relationships of trust, as we journey with them. We need invitations to spaces and events where people can encounter Jesus, good resources to help people discover and understand the gospel, and methods of nurture through alpha or similar groups where people can start their journey of faith.
