VLG (B) - Ministry Labs
Thursday 30 April
Click the ‘+’ to view more details including speakers, rooms and bios.
+ Caring for your Soul as a leader
// Andrew & Mandy Myat
Room G3 // 2.30-3.30pm
A practical lab to give you tools to care for and strengthen your Soul. How do we go deeper into the Father's love and keep ourselves spiritually healthy? Since Jesus is 'God with us', what could that look like in a busy leadership lifestyle?
Andrew & Mandy Myatt led Oxford Vineyard for 34 years and continue to lead the Soul Care Retreats which they started in 2016. They also run an apple pressing business which turns waste fruit into award winning juices & cider.
+ The 5 Gears: Being Present and Productive when there’s never enough time
// James Barringer
Room F1 // 2.30-3.30pm
This interactive Ministry Lab is designed to help leaders reflect on how they are stewarding their time, energy, and attention through the 5 Gears framework. Together, we will explore the rhythms we default to, recognise which gears are overused or neglected, and uncover the impact this has on our leadership, teams, and personal lives.
Through guided reflection, discussion, and practical coaching exercises based on by the work of Jeremie Kubicek and Steve Cockram (Founder's of GiANT), participants will identify what needs to stop, pause, or be delegated.
This is not about doing more.
It’s about leading with greater awareness, healthier rhythms, and intentional presence in the moments that matter most.
James Barringer is an executive coach who works with leaders carrying significant responsibility, complex decisions, and the quiet pressure that can erode confidence over time. He helps leaders slow down enough to rediscover clarity about who they are, so decisions feel steadier and leadership stays connected.
An ILM Level 7 executive coach and certified GiANT 5 Voices Guide, James brings over a decade of experience as a Senior Pastor in a Vineyard church alongside more than twenty years in education leadership. He understands both the visible demands and the hidden weight leaders carry.
His work integrates the 5 Voices and the Sweet Spot model, helping leaders reconnect identity and influence so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.
+ Bringing Your Socials to Life
// Naomi Taylor & VCUKI Comms Team
Room G3 // 4.00-5.00pm
Whether you’re just getting started or looking to grow your church’s online presence, this hands-on lab will help you build confidence using social media. Learn simple, practical ways to create engaging and shareable content that not only connects with your existing community, but also reaches those searching for church community.
Naomi Taylor is the Communications Manager for Vineyard Churches UK & Ireland. She and her team (Lydia Harcus-Lloyd, Daniel McCadden and Ben Mathias) create social media content for VCUKI, The Cause to Live For and Vineyard Worship UK & Ireland.
+ Responding to Signs of Spiritual Awakening
// John Clarke
Room F1 // 4.00-5.00pm
A Lab creating space for leaders to work together on how their churches can respond practically and spiritually to growing signs of spiritual openness. Through shared learning, guided discussion, and applied reflection, participants will explore what readiness looks like in their own context, including culture, prayer, invitation, and clear pathways for those exploring faith. With particular attention to spiritually curious people seeking meaning, leaders will leave with shared insights and concrete next steps to help prepare their churches to welcome, disciple, and steward what God may be doing in this season.
John Clarke leads Hull Vineyard alongside his wife, Joni, and together they have four children. He's passionate about developing leaders and strengthening churches for long-term health and growth. John loves all sport, great food, and can often be found watching food critics on YouTube.
Friday 2 May
+ Mentoring and Empowering Younger Leaders
// Tom Thompson
Room F1 // 2.30-3.30pm
As increasing numbers of young adults are exploring faith and showing up in our communities, our sense is that God is asking us to lean into mentoring and empowering; raising up a whole new generation of leaders for our churches, cities and our nations. In this lab, Tom Thompson will share lessons from 25 years of trying to invest in younger leaders, helping you consider what part you could play in raising up leaders who could steward a lasting move of God in our land.
Tom and his wife Lesley co-lead Croydon Vineyard Church, a multi-ethnic church in South London that they planted in 2013. Tom co-created the New Testament Journey suite of resources and is a speaker on Vineyard Theological Training. He is on the national Vineyard Leadership Team and is deeply committed to doing two spin classes a week.
+ Frameworks for using AI in Ministry
// Bob Piggott and Nino Moscardini
Room F1 // 2.30-3.30pm
A practical companion to the AI seminar, helping leaders identify appropriate, ethical, and helpful use cases in their own context. Testing out tools and leaving with frameworks.
Nino Moscardini is a Vineyard senior pastor, leading Vineyard25 for over 25 years and a former global technology executive who advised FTSE 100 C-suite leaders on strategy and transformation. He worked in US technology labs and engaged with AI long before it became mainstream. Earlier in life, he represented Great Britain in fencing. Nino recently stepped down from his secular role to focus fully on Vineyard25. He brings a rare blend of pastoral leadership and deep technical experience, offering clear and grounded thinking on AI, digital change, and leadership in a fast-moving world.
Bob Pigott is a Senior Pastor and AI consultant. Along with his wife, Sal, he leads Leicester Vineyard. A graduate of St Mellitus College (BA Theology, Ministry and Mission) and Trent University (MBA), alongside church ministry, he assists businesses, charities, and churches in increasing their AI literacy. This includes guidance and training on effective AI tool usage and the establishment of governance frameworks.
+ Raising and Releasing Leaders: Turning Vision into Practice
// Sarah Robertson and panel
Room F1 // 4.00-5.00pm
This hands-on lab will guide leaders to intentionally map out the next steps for those leaders they are raising. Looking at the process of IRTDMN this lab will provide you with ideas, language and next steps for each part of the process. Be prepared to leave with a plan and a vision of how you can establish a thriving route for leadership development in your local church.
This ministry lab is facilitated by VCUKI Pathway team. The Pathway team are weekly involved in the equipping of leaders in their roles as Campus Heads with the Vineyard Leadership College and also in their own local churches as pastors and ministry leaders.
+ Practising Good Governance (Crisis Management)
Mike McMaster
Room G3 // 4.00-5.00pm
When the unexpected happens, clear governance isn’t just a policy—it’s a lifeline. This interactive Ministry Lab moves away from theory and into the "lab" to test your decision-making in real-time.
In this session, led by Mike McMaster, you will work collaboratively in groups to navigate a complex, church-based crisis scenario. You’ll be challenged to consider the immediate implications for HR, safeguarding, communications, pastoral care, and external reporting. During the workshop, a panel of VCUKI representatives and external experts will be on hand to discuss strategies, offer practical wisdom and actionable insights on how to handle high-stakes situations with wisdom and grace.
Mike McMaster is the Director of Barnabas Consulting and Chair of Trustees at Birmingham Vineyard, bringing over 25 years of leadership experience across the commercial, charity, and church sectors. With a professional background in global executive recruitment and organisational strategy, Mike specialises in helping leaders and boards navigate complex transitions and high-pressure environments.
