steve

missionary thing stirring

The last few weeks have been really interesting as a new clarity has come to me - for those that know me it's been a real crossroads knowing what to focus on .. business ideas, wider extra-local ministry /speaking etc.. nightchurch excitements, new jobs, part-time ? full-time? wow !!!! It's been hard keeping it together to be honest.>>>>

So much of what is happening in the UK at the moment is about the church unlearning and putting on a missionary hat - seeing the UK through the eyes of a missionary and a missionary church. So I'm feeling a real peace to use that label for myself - "Steve Jones - having a go at doing the missionary thing..." focused around helping to grow churches, leaders and their movements ...

Also I have set up new ways in which people can support us through prayer ( news letters) and money ( standing orders and paypal one off donations - with giftaid coming soon) - click here

cv bio

Steve Jones, the son of a Methodist superintendent/’bishop’, is married to Larissa and they have 4 full of life kids. A qualified educator, he has been involved in planting and leading churches for emerging generations for 15 years.

"I'm doing some great stuff at the moment - helping to lead and develop a super church called Exeter Network Church, developing a business called [generous] and planting a church called nightchurch in Exeter Cathedral. It's all beyond my wildest dreams"

Steve has also served many key organisations including Oxfam, Fusion, Ichthus, Scottish Network of Churches, YWAM, Devon and Glasgow LEA’s and has served on the board of Tearfund, Scotland. He is currently the SW Co-ordinator of Emergent – described as a generative friendship of missional Christians.

Steve has worked on a masters degree in Leadership/Management and a B.Sc. in Environment/Development. He holds a BA.Hons from the University of Exeter. During 2007 he is engaged in a Diploma in Coaching ( more here ).
Steve has a passion for windsurfing and enjoys sport, music, films and reading. His favourite pastime is having his kids jump all over him.

A week in the life of Steve Jones, a Diocesan Youth-work Advisor…

My life as an advisor is full of richness, mosaic and variety, to show you what I mean I have looked at the week I’m now in… mid-September 2004.

Monday.

9am. I’m just getting over PSDS ( post-summer depression syndrome ) as I arrive at Renslade House in Exeter where our offices are…the residual rain drips down my neck as I open up my emails and think about the week ahead. “Gotta meet the new Bicton College full-time Christian youth worker/chaplain/house parents !” Father, please help them to settle into their new roles.”
11am. meet church leaders in Exeter to talk about “fresh expressions” of church happening in the city – “more of these please Lord.”
2pm. Connected with Canon Mark Rylands, great bloke, about the visit of Melanesian Brothers. I’m helping to sort out the Brothers interaction with schools and youth groups next summer.
Finished the day with writing letters, reports and memos – then home to the kids and being used as a climbing frame.

Tuesday

I believe passionately in quality communication, I don’t possess all the answers but put people in touch with the resources, the people, the answers then I have fulfilled my role. Take the initiative I was talking about yesterday at Bicton, our FE Task group initiated a conversation with the college in late July, I opened up our dream with their senior management to see more chaplaincy in FE Colleges, they shared their need for more Christian input and offered to fund two full time chaplains. I then made the connections and more or less got out of the loop and now the people are in place. I play the role of a “spiritual broker” if you like but just don’t get paid as much.
am. In my quest to improve these grassroots communications networks I have been investing some time in interactive web space, this morning I spent some time refining a web tool to be used by youth stream of “Spirit of Discovery” – a mission in Plymouth Easter 2005.
pm. Prepared tomorrow night – the launching of youth stream for Spirit of Discovery mission in Plymouth. Made a handout pack, refined the linked website, prepared my presentation and chatted to other participants.

Wednesday

Drove to Plymouth and met the core mission planning team over food, talked about our launch this evening, ate curry, drank beer – suffering for Jesus again.
Evening. St Andrews, Plymouth. Led and facilitated a gathering of 25 youth leaders in planning and getting motivated for our week’s outreach in Easter 2005.
Arrive home at 11.30pm and crashed into bed after waking the baby – who left that toy there !

Thursday

Day off – worked last weekend and next, work/life balance is the buzz word in our council at the moment.

Friday.

am Plymouth again, this time by train, for a chat with an “up-for-it” local councillor with the youth-work portfolio… “How can we the church, partner with you, the government, in our shared goals ?… basically “give us your money”.
pm Had an afternoon with Emily Kiff, the new youth worker at St Judes, Plymouth, she’s amazing, a better youth worker than I’ll ever be. ” Father God, may Emily have an amazing time seeing your Kingdom growing.”

Networking, training, inspiring, communicating, breaking new ground, fundraising, eating curry, strategizing – a real mosaic in a week of the life of a diocesan youth-work advisor.