The Bardney Story

Rural Ministries conference Oct 2015 Our Story

10 + years ago

A commitment to prayer and mission

An adventure begins

Lincolnshire Lincolnshire . Bardney

Bardney

Population 1900

Relatively deprived

Major employer closed in 1990s St Francis’ Church

St Lawrence's Church

Methodist Chapel History

 Romano-British Christian centre in Lincoln with a Bishop in 316 AD

Paulinus Baptised 600 people in Lincoln 625 AD

“The great Monastery at Bardney” (Bede) endowed by Ostryth, Queen of Mercia and the relics of St Oswald brought to Bardney Abbey circa 679 AD

History

Saxon monastery destroyed by Danes in 880 AD and St Oswald's relics moved to Gloucester

The Abbey re-founded in 1087 AD following the Norman Conquest.

Benedictine community eventually dissolved in 1539 AD under Henry VIII.

2005 to 2008 prayed, walked, wandered around Bardney:

Monastic ruins

2009 Rhythm of life

2009 Prayer season LImewoods Should we move?

2010 An ecumenical Community of Pioneers

May 2010 move to Bardney

Prayer and fasting season re foundations

Psalm 24 vs 7: Lift up your heads you gates and be lifted up you ancient doors

Psalm 125 vs 3: The sceptre of the wicked will not remain over the land allotted to the righteous

New monasticism; rooted in the past, built for the future

17 A base for the Pioneer Community: bricks and mortar

Now a prayer community (Independent, Baptist and Church of England/Methodist)

31 Prayer Rhythm

• Sunday evenings • Morning prayer • Prayer Wednesdays • Revs prayer and breakfast • 24/1 24/3 • Seasons for reasons

32 Community Activities

Rhythm of prayer, meals, study and local mission planning

Planning for a community Hub and Coffee Shop

Support of Pioneers: prayer, gathering, coaching

33 Ecumenical life in Bardney:

Leaders’ prayer, breakfast and mission planning

Bible study and mission shaped intro course

Mid week gathering

Messy Church

34 St Oswald’s Day

36 Choir of Angels but no baby

37 Inn and Innkeeper but no baby

38 There’s the baby – in a stable

39 Principles: Prayer based; Christ centred

Mission focussed; making disciples

Loving people; forming community

No pre-conceived ideas; creativity and flexibility

40 Principles

• Mix of planning and spontaneous • Kingdom not partisan • God provides: people, resources • Its our home • Vision clarifies as you commit to what you can see

41 Approach and values

• The more we seek Him…

• Values: Candle Table Door

42 Candle

Table

Door

46 47