Over 70 people gathered on 17 October for the inaugural Oxford Estates Ministry conference at Reading Gateway Church.
The Diocese of Oxford is committed to supporting those with a heart for sharing Jesus with people on the estates in parishes where more than 500 of the houses can be described as social housing. To affirm and resource this work, the Revd Nick Hill, Reading Gateway Church, alongside the Revd Pete Wheeler, St Peter’s, Aylesbury, is launching a network of clergy and lay leaders with a heart for this ministry.
The conference marked the first formal gathering in the diocese, opening with a video welcome from Bishop Steven, who recalled his early ministry in estates in Ovenden, and gave his encouragement to all present:
"This ministry is vital and dear to the heart of God… Support each other and learn from each other."
Tending the mustard seed
The Bishop of Barking, the Rt Revd Lynne Cullens, gave the first keynote, focusing on ‘tending the mustard seed’. Revealing some shocking statistics, Bishop Lynne shared how 63% of estate parishes in the Diocese of Oxford have no obvious Church of England centre of worship.
Bishop Lynne shared her checklist for Estates Ministry; from actively including the area in national funding bids to regularly sharing stories from estates’ worshipping communities through diocesan channels. With 56% of under 19s in the diocese living in deprived and/or estate parishes, and the diocese’s recent commitment to transforming mission with children and young people, Bishop Lynne’s call to action was a poignant one.
Heroes not welcome
Helen Shannon, the Diocese of London's Estates Enabler and lead on the CCX development of estates mission, gave a passionate talk recalling her own time as a young mum on an estate. Helen urged those present to remember that God ‘has been on our estates and in our low-income communities even before we have noticed them,’ and that we should avoid the temptation as a Church to feel that we can – or should – fix it all.
“We are not the saviour Jesus is - we need to put our pants back inside our trousers, not wear them on the outside!”
Helen also highlighted two key resources coming in 2025 from CCX; a Multiply Estates Mission conference and an online course, Become, both centred on estates ministry.
Carl Beech, leader of Edge Ministries and the Edge Faith Community, shared his vision of a ‘more community-based form of church… where we ditch what is essentially churchiality and recover what is biblical and kingdom.’ Carl’s talk centred on being ‘in amongst it’ and serving the people on the estates in our parishes without judgement.
Mission partners
Throughout the day, short films from mission partners and local churches were shared, highlighting resources and case studies. One such partner is Christians Against Poverty, who shared a recent quote from the Most Revd Justin Welby:
“They tackle the issues where they really exist… The treat people as human beings… and enable them to find their own way forward.”
The Revd Nick Hill also shared the story of Reading Gateway’s parish nurse, whose work is part-funded by the Development Fund and the local council. Parish nurses promote health through health education, advice and spiritual care, to people of all faiths or none, serving as an additional layer of support for individuals and communities, and have made a particular contribution to the local community in Reading.
Where there's a will
The speakers, along with the Archdeacon of Buckingham, the Ven Guy Elsmore, reconvened for a question-and-answer session in the afternoon. One attendee asked how to instigate an open-door policy when you don’t own a church building. Helen Shannon encouraged creativity in finding a solution.
“Where there is a will there is a way. You can meet in pubs… Just go for it, because the Holy Spirit comes with people, it’s not about the building.”
Carl also highlighted the importance of ecumenicalism, where relationships can be mutually beneficial, giving an example of his own work with a local Methodist church, who provide a premises to his community group, whilst they in turn are able to offer some resources.
With much of the day celebrating the joys of estates ministry, many commented too on the challenges; how easy it is to feel very small when faced with large problems, and the recurring feeling of burn-out. The panel all agreed that surrounding yourself with ‘good people’ – both in and out of your ministry – can make a world of difference to energy levels. Bishop Lynne advocated for asking people personally for help:
“People feel they can consume church without being part of church - but everyone can pray. [You can] then ask, what else people can do? Don’t be afraid to ask people to help.”
Join the network
In a moving time of prayer and worship, Helen recommissioned some of those present in their ministry, and prophetic word was shared through Matthew 11.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
The network’s first meeting, hosted by Bishop Steven, will take place on 16 January. To register your interest in hearing more details as they come, sign up here.