Ignite

God loves to bring people into community, into a knowledge of being loved and valued. Many people, especially those living in marginalised and socially deprived communities, struggle with mainstream church. The Ignite café-church model, pioneered in Canterbury Diocese, is designed to build relationships and share faith with people where they are, in their own communities. Through eating and exploring faith together, Ignite shares the gospel in both word and action, while also supporting people's essential needs.

This book sets out how to plan and run Ignite in your context. It covers building and supporting a team, how best to set up for Ignite and the style in which it should be delivered. Pre-planned 'running orders' provide a wealth of weekly material including video clips, table discussions, quizzes, short talks, craft activities, drama and prayer responses.

Patrick Ellisdon is priest in charge of All Saints parish in Canterbury. Through a grant from the Church Commissioners in 2018, he co-led the Ignite project, replicating Ignite in six of the poorest communities across the diocese. He enjoys playing the guitar and reading trashy science fiction novels, and is pretty good at cooking Chinese food!

Debbie Ellisdon co-leads the Canterbury Diocese Ignite project where she helps to oversee, mentor and encourage Ignite communities across the diocese. She is married to Patrick and has three grown-up children and a dog. She may be a vicar's wife, but definitely doesn't enjoy flower arranging!