Christianity was known among the Roman Britons but it had waned recently.

The first missionary was a man by the name of Corman who experienced little to no success and, eventually, left Northumbria and returned to Iona. He reported to his friends, colleagues, and superiors that the people were too stubborn to be converted and too entrenched in their polytheistic ways. When met with the legacy of bad discipleship and spiritual formation, Corman found that what he had to offer the people was not of interest to them. He gave up when growth was not immediate and went home where he was comfortable. One man openly criticized Corman's methodology and approach to ministry in Northumbria. This man is the one that Iona sent to replace Corman. His name was Aidan.
Aidan was different. When he arrived, he founded a monastery on the island of Lindisfarne and slowly involved himself in the lives of those whom he hoped to minister to. Instead of showing up and simply preaching fiery sermons and expecting the immediate movement of the spirit and explosive growth, Aidan recognized the importance of relationships. He started a monastery and devoted himself to prayer, worship, and investing himself in the lives of others. He wasn't trying to recreate Iona in Northumbria but, rather, recreate the situation and circumstances that gave rise to Iona--committed followers of Christgathering together in relationships to worship, pray, and devote themselves to the ministry of the Kingdom of God.

Aidan's monastery grew slowly and steadily and was intentionally composed of people from Northumbria.So, as the people of Northumbria needed more Christian leaders they were provided with people who they knew and trusted already. This was part of Aidan's plan all along--not to make the Northumbrians over in his own image but, rather, to help them follow after God who had made them in God's image. Aidan would die in Northumbria many years later but his monastery and ministry would continue on as a witness to those who had ears to hear and as an example to all of us.
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