Growing, inclusive, evangelistic, justice-seeking NEW CHURCHES

Growing, inclusive, evangelistic, justice-seeking NEW CHURCHES

Our vision: By 2030 to have at least eight fruitful pioneer-led new churches embedded across our circuits. At least half of these will be in Church at the Margins contexts.

In addition to being new and different forms of church through which new people start journeys of Christian discipleship, these will be places of creative learning and experimentation which will inform and enthuse equally valued evolution of inherited churches, volunteer led “fresh expressions” and re-imagining places in which existing forms of church are ending well.

Collectively these will contribute to a financially self-sustaining ecosystem, although we recognise that Churches at the Margins will likely require financial support.

Why is this a priority?

Starting new Christian communities (also known as New Churches, or New Places for New People) is generally considered one of the most effective means of connecting new people, new people groups, and new residents to Christian exploration, community and discipleship. They give us opportunity to engage with people who we are unlikely to reach through our existing churches. Starting new Christian communities makes it easier for us to change our narrative from "come and join us" to "let's journey together", to explore life in all its fullness in new forms moulded in trusting relationships.

These new congregations bring learning from experimental research and development, identify and strengthen emerging leaders, and thus help our circuits and existing churches renew and reimagine their callings.

Key challenges will be:

• Overcoming financial barriers – starting and reaching maturity takes time, often up to ten years
• Access to energy, inspirational stories and relevant expertise found beyond the local context
• Missional courage and imagination may be needed to value to operate and experiment outside of traditional structures and patterns of church, at a time when circuits and existing churches can feel under pressure
• Creating life-giving ways for both new churches and existing churches to be equally contributing and valued partners in their circuits

To enable this District will:

• Make available district staff to walk alongside circuits in exploring visions, gather and equip teams and connect with people beyond church. This is likely to be particularly important in initial phases
• Provide grants of up to £120k towards employment/ stipend of pioneers, with comprehensive ongoing support and evaluation Mission Grants
• Facilitate networks and access to learning for pioneers and others involved in leading of new churches New Christian Communities – Gatherings
• Provide expertise to support New Churches in creating healthy and contextual compliance cultures, for example with regard to safeguarding.

Implementation of this vision will be overseen by our New Churches Support Team