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Alchemy at the Edge

Cultivating Creative Change

About

Alchemy at the Edge Consulting is designed for VCFSE leaders who stand at the intersection of tradition and innovation, inspired by the creative possibilities bubbling up within their organisations or faith communities. These leaders, often operating at the “edge of the inside,” recognise that true, lasting change starts at the edge and radiates toward the centre.

Richard Passmore is a seasoned innovator, and thought leader who has spent decades navigating the intersections of tradition and creativity. Known for his pioneering work in refounding organisations and empowering leaders, Richard draws on deep experience in faith-based innovation, social entrepreneurship, and systemic transformation. He is also currently the national FX lead Partnerships and Development.

What we offer organisations

Applied Alchemy Bespoke for Organisations 

Unlock transformation with tailored Applied Alchemy Monthly content designed specifically for your organisation.  We will partner with a specialist in your denomination, or area so each month an Applied Alchemy Leadership Briefing will drop directly into inboxes. Each Briefing is aligned to YOUR unique values, objectives, and delivery targets, whether you’re a church, diocese, charity, or new Christian community. Receive an in-depth, context-driven learning pathway, fully integrated with your existing mentoring, coaching, (if you don’t have this we have partners who will provide it) accountability, and actionable next steps for real change beyond the seminar room. All custom written and available as:

  • DIP – a 500 word  Leadership snapshot
  • DRIP A 1400 word Leadership Briefing with Applied Alchemy’s unique Leadership Postures, Positioning and Accountability checklist. 
  • SWIM – Termly live webinars supporting your leaders to embed the learning in context 
  • FLOW 1:1 or team-based Applied Alchemy sessions

2. Growing the Mixed Ecology, A Distinctive Trellis Approach

Move beyond “mixed ecology” clichés with the original Mixed Ecology Trellis. This approach fosters a system where every tradition and new expression can flourish, drawing on transformative relationships, not institutional silos. Workshops, team days, and consultancy are rooted in an organic, visual framework that makes sense of complexity and fosters mutual growth across the whole church ecosystem, helping your community see and value all its living parts. Offerings include:

–  Introducing and Using the Mixed Ecology Trellis in your context 

– “Building Your Trellis” interactive workshop

– Mixed ecology analysis and strategy mapping

– Leadership team away days built around the trellis method

– Consultation for dioceses, local churches, and networks

3. Pioneering and Sustainability

Pioneering Leadership for a Changing Church requires us to step confidently into the frontiers of faith leadership with pioneering approaches that embrace risk, innovation, and the unknown. Sustainability is also Stewardship and Legacy and that’s not just environmental but deeply systemic. We need to nurture enduring leadership, thriving communities, and regenerative mission. Our services help to:

•          Equip leaders to initiate New Christian Communities and uncharted missional ventures

•          Foster cultures that experiment wisely and learn fast from successes and setbacks

•          Support visionary projects that challenge institutional norms for transformation

•          Embedding practices that strengthen resilience and care for people and place

•          Developing sustainable systems of governance, culture, and resource use aligned to your values

•          Cultivating long-term vision that preserves mission vitality beyond immediate pressures

  • Key Concepts Workshops, Seminars and Consulting 

4. Scaling Deeper Beyond Numbers

Whilst we are pragmatic about our responsibilities to funders, we help to balance the number growth metrics with change that is genuinely embedded, lasting, and transformative. Rooted in the Scaling Deep framework, these sessions are specifically tailored to the faith sector and seek to move change from the surface to the heart, leveraging personhood, narrative, and contextual wisdom.

5. Leadership and Systems Development

Access proven, research-led approaches to leadership tailored to the emerging church landscape such as The Two Loops Approach, Trickster Theory of Change Development, U Theory, Knowing your Change Space, etc that go beyond generic leadership talks with creative application-focused sessions and toolkits. These sessions aim for systemic change, adaptive leadership, and capacity building within your specific faith context.

6. Innovation and Creative Thinking for Mission

Spark fresh ways of thinking and unlock new solutions for today’s most pressing faith-based challenges. Workshops and consults are crafted to stimulate creativity, facilitate collaborative problem solving, and foster experimental mindsets, all grounded in theological insight and the realities of your context. 

7. Culture, Missiology, and Change

Navigate the rapid shifts in culture, theology, and practice with custom sessions that connect deep missiological insight to practical local challenges. Each offering is rooted in story, deep listening, and tools of organisational change, ensuring your work is not just reactive, but generative and future-facing. 

All of our Key Concepts are available flexibly as: 

  • Reflective retreats, Reviews and workshops for teams and organisations at any scale
  • Narrative discovery processes
  • One-off workshops
  • Team days or away days
  • Seminar, or Keynote addresses
  • Executive accompaniment for senior leaders
  • Ongoing consultancy, tailored from local parish to national bodies

Alchemy at the Edge makes sure every piece of work is as unique as your context.

What We Offer for individuals

New for 2026 Applied Alchemy for Individuals. We offer four subscription levels, starting with a free level. Each subsequent level offers more in depth content.

DRIP

This is a fresh approach to the leadership space that collapses the gaps between mentoring, coaching, and accountability. There is a free level called ‘DRIP‘ with taster content dripped out via our substack at https://alchemyedge.substack.com but the real gold is available on a subscription basis. The aim is to grow fluent leaders who naturally have the right tools at their disposal and who reach for the right tool at the right time without having to think about it. Subscribe for free from our subscription page here.

DIP

DIP right in with our level 2 offer that sends a monthly Leadership and Systems Change Content direct to your inbox that you can Dip into at a time that works for you. We mix leadership and systems theory, reflection and action, with our unique Applied Alchemy Prompts, Postures and Checklist to grow your leadership fluency.

Catch our launch offer at just ÂŁ5 a month (usual price will be ÂŁ8 a month). Download a free DIP sample here. Then subscribe here.

SWIM

Join our ‘SWIM’ level if you like to wrestle with ideas. SWIM members automatically get Drip level but also access a termly webinar exploring how to put the ideas into practice in their own context. For our launch offer you can sign up for ÂŁ8 a month saving over ÂŁ50 on the webinars.

Select your subscription level here.

Our SWIM webinars for 2026 will be on the theme of Trickster.

FLOW

If you want to really get in the FLOW contact Richard HERE about 1-1 Applied Alchemy sessions.

Find out more here (link to flyer)

Trickster 2026 Webinars Only

If you want to just sign up for the webinars (last Wednesday in Feb, June and October 19.30 GMT) or can use the link below.

Select your subscription level here.

Why Choose Alchemy at the Edge?

From Edge to Centre

We specialize in equipping leaders who may feel at the edge of their organisation to catalyse change that permeates the entire system.

Creativity Rooted in Tradition

Our approach values the traditions and strengths of established systems while fostering innovation and creative disruption that reinvigorates them.

Proven Frameworks for Lasting Change

Drawing on practical, time-tested methodologies, we help leaders craft scalable solutions that work.

Focused on Leadership Empowerment

Our services centre on the leader’s unique potential to inspire and guide transformation from within by fostering the right relationships and systems with those who have the gift of not fitting in. 

Narrative-Driven Transformation

By prioritising storytelling, we enable leaders to communicate their vision compellingly, building broad support for change.

Who We Serve

Faith-Based Innovators: Leaders seeking to create imaginative spaces within traditional faith communities.

Social Entrepreneurs: Changemakers with a vision for systemic growth and sustainable impact.

Organisational Leaders: Those on the edge of traditional organisations who want to bring creativity and adaptability into the centre.

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