Community Missioner

Hello, I'm Mark Bagnall, the Community Missioner for Staindrop Methodist Church. My background is in Teaching, Youth Work and Training. I worked for 6 years in the Religious Studies Department of a large secondary school in Carlisle, teaching across the age range from 11-18.

The rest of my working life was with the Methodist Church as a Training and Development Officer across the Northeast and Cumbria. Although working in a region, I was part of the National staff team. My work has included training with voluntary Children & Youth workers, working with young people, Adult Education programmes, community audits, Clergy training and managing full time Youth & Community Workers in a variety of settings.

As part of my work, I was assigned to the Wesley Study Centre a Methodist Theological College, based in St John's College Durham. My duties in the Study Centre were contributing to the teaching programme, developing placement opportunities, safeguarding training and having a tutorial load with both student ministers and those discerning their vocation. During this time, I developed a Diversity programme for Methodist and Anglican ministerial students. As part of my National Team role, I was involved in a variety of national initiatives and programmes.

I took early retirement in September 2013 and set up my own business 'Learning-Works' to offer coaching to individual and corporate clients and consultancy work and training to a range of clients. Having gained various university and other qualifications over the years, after leaving work I
trained as a coach and hold a diploma in coaching. I am currently contracted as the Safeguarding Training Officer for Newcastle Diocese.

My passion is lifelong learning and to see people and communities develop their full potential. This can be a difficult road to walk as any change is not easy. Seeing God in all things is key to my faith and work. From all my years of working for and living in Methodism, I've concluded the most dangerous phrase we keep using is "we always do it this way'. It's time to change this narrative!