About

My name is Andrew Dowsett, and I am an ordained Anglican serving in the Church of England Diocese of Liverpool.

I started this blog while on the staff at St Thomas', a large network-model church in Sheffield, increasingly known for the development of missional communities, and for The Order of Mission, a global community of missional pioneers, which grew out of that church.  Posts from 2004-2007 are more personal, and cover a time of transition for us as a family, from being part of St Thomas' to being sent out as members of The Order of Mission.  Posts from 2007-2009 were written while I was a theological college; and posts from 2009 onwards in Liverpool.

At present my posts tend to include far less personal content than at times in the past.  I tend to write about issues relating to:

missional church leadership;

discipleship;

the trans/formation of identity;

the rich resources of the Christian tradition - particularly the liturgical calendar - for mission in a post-modern, post-Christendom context.

My primary reason for writing is to help me process ideas.  My posts are often overly-long, and often come in flurries of activity.  While this breaks all the 'rules' of a good blog, other people have found it helpful to read along.  Most of their interaction, however, happens elsewhere - in conversation; on facebook; by email - rather than here.  Whether you are a new visitor or an old friend, you are very welcome.  And if you find any of my posts helpful, would you consider forwarding them on?

My wife, Jo, and I have three children, all now in full-time primary education. Less often than I would like, I throw myself on God's mercy on a mountain bike.  I also enjoy taking photographs, some of which end up on here.

you can email me at

andrew [at] dowsetts [dot] net

or contact me on facebook