What is BCUIM?

BCUIM (Black Country Urban Industrial Mission) is a partnership between

  • the Anglican dioceses of Lichfield & Worcester
  • the Wolverhampton & Shrewsbury and Birmingham Methodist Districts
  • the URC West Midlands Synod and
  • the Heart of England Baptist Association

With the support of

  • the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Birmingham &
  • Central England Quakers
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We aim to bring values of God's Kingdom to everyday life by

  • being alongside people at work...
  • promoting faith for work...
  • empowering and transforming urban communities...
  • challenging world values and being a prophetic voice to both Church and World

What is the Church's "Mission in the Economy"?

In their book, "The Church and Economic Life", Malcolm Brown and Paul Ballard write:

"The neglect of the economy as a location for practical theology and Christian ethics has been, and remains, an omission that diminishes the ability of churches to witness to the claims of the gospel in the contemporary world."

With its aim of "Connecting Church and the Economy", BCUIM looks to set right that omission. But what does this mean practically? How do we fulfil our "Mission in the Economy"?

Here are some pointers to what it looks like:

Bill at Marstons Brewery

Mission in the Economy is about

Engaging with the economic order:

  • how Christians spend and invest
  • supporting people under economic pressure (especially those without work)
  • participation in economic regeneration projects
  • Christian response to issues and events in the economy and their effects on the environment

Workplace Chaplaincy:

  • Recognised ministers, ordained and lay, who visit employers in industry, commerce and the public sector
  • A pastoral (“listening ear”) and prophetic (“critical friend”) ministry

Promoting "Faith at Work":

  • Affirming the value of people’s working lives
  • Considering ethical issues which arise in the workplace
  • Prayer for people in their daily activities
  • Encouraging people to express Gospel values and truth appropriately, and to show Christian care and support for those around them
  • Preaching which addresses the real issues which people face each week

The workplace is important.

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