Submitted by Brendan on Thu, 15/08/2024 - 17:21 We are delighted to announce that the wonderful congregation of St Barnabas in Knowle West, South Bristol have chosen to join the Jesus Shaped People Innovation (JSPi) group of pilot parishes. We welcome St Barnabas, who join St Agnes in St Pauls, and St Philips, in Upper Stratton Swindon to this exciting initiative in partnership with the Diocese of Bristol and the Church Commissioners. Over the next 3 years St Barnabas will run various JSP materials with the aim of whole church revitalisation and growth using resources that focus on a sustained examination of the priorities of Jesus as their model of life and mission. Independent research by the Church Army Research Unit will evaluate the effectiveness and test the theory of change. Missional accompaniment will also be a key feature that will contribute, support, encouragement, and healthy reflection. It is also hoped St Barnabas will become a centre of learning for other churches to benefit from. Rev Clive Hamilton, Priest in Charge said; ‘For a small church St Barnabas does some amazing things for its local community. We have though been talking for a while about how we can become more confident about sharing Jesus' love with others, and the invitation and example to "follow me". We know about the amazing adventure and blessing if we respond and we hope we and others can get to know Jesus more as we live out this ministry where we are, in Knowle West, in practical and incarnational ways. We are really looking forward to using and building the five key themes of People, Teaching, Team Building, Prayer, and Prophetic Challenge, all of which were evident in Jesus' life, in our discipleship and development journey.
