The Alongside Scheme
Prayerful, personal support for church leaders
Would you value a companion who can support you in ministry, share their wisdom and experience, and pray for both your own journey of faith and for the ministry to which you have been called?
What is it?
The Alongside Scheme supports church leaders in the whole of their lives, both their ministry context and their personal life of prayer. A trained ReSource Companion undertakes to meet with a church leader on a mutually agreed pattern, online and/or in person, and also commits to pray for the church leader in between their meetings.
As a prophetic voice and critical friend, the ReSource Companion offers:
a commitment to pray regularly for the church leader
objectivity from an outside context
the wisdom of their own ministry experience
the courage to ask searching questions
the giftedness to offer wise counsel where that might enrich a leader’s life and ministry
Why now?
We recognise that many church leaders can become isolated, depleted and discouraged – and the experience of the pandemic has added to the pressures they face. We also know that this is a period of change and uncertainty in the life of the church, when those in ministry will benefit from additional support.
Reflections from church leaders
“I have found it helpful to regularly cross-check what God is saying and doing. Having somebody to chat things through and pray with helps me to be patient and wait is invaluable. What I have found most significantly impacted me is the steady provision of understanding and prayer so that I have an opportunity to clearly identify what God is saying to me and not to rush off into blind alleys.”
Mr Bob Mathews
“I am Naomi, over the past couple of years I have greatly valued my ReSource companion. I am really excited to now have the chance to come alongside others as they discern and process. For me, the conversations have helped navigate the joys, celebrations, pains and disappointments of ministry. I have found no judgement as I honestly shared my unfiltered thoughts and questions. I am passionate about other Church Leaders having the space they need too and look forward to offering listening space and prayerful support to a Church Leader as their companion.”
Revd Naomi Barraclough
“I can share openly in a safe space and receive wise counsel. It is good to talk and pray together. At times we share prophetic words that we feel the Lord might be saying. I often come away with a different perspective on a situation I am facing. I always feel encouraged and strengthened. I wholeheartedly recommend the Alongside Scheme.”
Revd Lesley Lawrence, Baptist Minister, Cardiff
“It is so helpful to be able to take time out of ministry to reflect back and look forward without having to say the 'right thing'. I often look back at conversations with my Companion as milestones in ministry. The LORD has often seemed to line up our conversations at timely moments. For example, our most recent conversations focussed on a stressful situation in ministry and a new one for me to experience. Getting off the call with my Companion, I was able to experience peace in the situation and had practical wisdom for finding a way forward.”
Revd Andy Dykes
The Companions have a range of ministry experience, and elements of mentoring, spiritual direction, work coaching and counselling may form part of Alongside companionships. But we believe the scheme is distinct in its dual emphasis on both the church leader’s own faith, and their public ministry, all held within the context of ReSource’s vision and values.