Ignite is a radically simple model of church – building relationships and sharing faith where people are, in the community. Initially a small group in Cliftonville run by Patrick and Debbie Ellisdon, it has now been replicated across our diocese. Their new book sets out how to plan and run Ignite as a new community in your context.
As Bishop of Dover, the Rt Rev Rose Hudson-Wilkin says in her foreword: ‘Jesus got in trouble with the religious leaders of his day for making a beeline for those whom they did not consider to be respectable. He hung out with people on the edges of society, those who did not easily fit into organised religion or the social pecking order… Jesus saw no societal barrier to the people that he loved, taught, healed and prayed with.’
Created by Patrick and Debbie Ellisdon, Ignite is a tried and tested model following Jesus’ example of building relationships and sharing 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 peopleʼs 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 ʻrunning ordersʼ provide two yearsʼ worth of weekly material including video clips, table discussions, quizzes, short talks, craft activities, drama and prayer responses.
Praise for Ignite
‘It’s not like a church, it’s not religious, more like a social club, but I have learnt a lot about God!’ - An Ignite guest
‘This book is a wonderful testimony of how God can shape a church to minister to those around us; to reveal the love of Jesus to those we often fail to connect with. This book not only tells the story of Ignite but also its thinking, theology and process with lots of wonderful resources to use to share the gospel.’ – Mike Resch, Vicar of St Marks in Harrogate and part of the New Wine Leadership Community
About the authors
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. 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.
You can listen to co-author Debbie Ellisdon's interview about the book on UCB radio.