It is said that all Christians ‘should’ be pioneers, but until that day there’s a bunch of people in the diocese who are working towards normalising pioneering!
Pioneering is often described as a spectrum along which, in differing ways, we seek to show and tell others outside of the reach of the congregational church, the love of God. Pioneers, in contrast to the way the church has usually gathered, will generally build community out there where these people are, rather than expect them to find their way to our inherited services and congregations.
Winchester Pioneers are starting to gather monthly and in response to that Bishop Philip has nominated Revd James Sharp as Chaplain to Pioneers, to winkle them out, and to start the work of gathering and supporting them!
In March 2025, an initial meeting of Winchester Pioneers was held, with Bishop Philip and Johnny Sertin from Church Mission Society (CMS) in attendance. At this meeting, there was space for people to share their stories, and we heard how Bishop Philip would like Winchester Pioneers to work from ‘grass roots up’, rather than dictated to by the top.
CMS will also be working alongside Winchester Pioneers, as they have a wealth of experience working with other dioceses, supporting them in their pioneering efforts.
Pioneering is not about being self-consciously cool or alternative – usually it’s incredibly ordinary! Identifying those at the margins and working out how we can love and serve and build community.
We have pioneers in Winchester Diocese working with young people and old people, bikers and gardeners. We have communities emerging among families who have children with complex special needs who have zero experience of organised church and also among those who have been hurt and excluded by organised church. We have people working on city estates and in leafy villages – wherever there are people, there’ll be pioneers.
Revd James Sharp, Chaplain to Pioneers
If you feel that you or someone you know sounds or smells a bit like a pioneer, please get in touch! Winchester Pioneers are still very much in the early stages of working out who is where and what.
Winchester Pioneers will be running a ‘come and see’ event in the autumn, but until then if you would like James or one of our other pioneers to come and talk to your church about this important work, please contact Winchester Pioneers on: James.Sharp@winchester.anglican.org.