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Press release from the Church of England
Church of England funds ambitious growth programme
More than a hundred new churches are to be created in a £27 million drive by the Church of England to revive the Christian faith in coastal areas, market towns and outer urban housing estates, it was announced today.
New Christian communities in areas including the Kent coast, housing estates in Plymouth and market towns in Cambridgeshire are to be set up by the Church of England as part of its Renewal and Reform programme.
The plans have been backed by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby as a ‘wonderful example’ of how churches are seeking to be faithful to God and to serve their communities.
He said: “The Church of England exists to share the good news of Jesus through our words and our actions. Across the country, churches are bursting with life – which in part is shown through how they love and serve their communities. I’m especially pleased about these grants because they demonstrate our commitment to following Jesus to the places of greatest need in our society.
“These projects are wonderful examples of how churches are seeking to be faithful to God – and faithful to their communities in love and mission. Through their innovation, they signal a growing determination in the Church to share the good news of Jesus Christ in ways that make sense for those in our most deprived communities.”
John Spence, chair of the Church of England’s Strategic Investment Board, which approved funding for the work by the dioceses, said: “These grants are funding bold ambitious initiatives. Their scale and breadth show that the Church is feeling confident about its future.”
In Canterbury Diocese, a pioneering café-style church called ‘Ignite’ in Margate, Kent, is to be used as a blueprint for nine new worshipping communities in the coastal towns of Herne Bay, Sheerness on the Isle of Sheppey and St Peter Port in Guernsey as well as Sittingbourne, Maidstone and Ashford.
The Ignite project was founded at St Paul’s Church in Margate 10 years ago, aiming to reach marginalised and deprived communities in the town.
The scheme has been announced alongside a £1.69 million grant to create three new churches for people living in outer urban estates in Plymouth. It is hoped that the new churches will provide support and inspiration for up to nine new churches in and around the city.
In Ely Diocese, the Church of England is to fund a project promoting church growth, focussing on the market towns of Wisbech, March, Chatteris, Littleport, Ramsey, Huntingdon and Downham Market.
In Swindon, a former railway works building is to be transformed into a church, aimed primarily at people aged under 40 years old who have no current connection with a church. Bristol Diocese anticipates the new church will act as a catalyst for training clergy and supporting mission in both new and established churches across the area.
A grant has also been made to Worcester Diocese to fund staff and a refit of St Thomas and St Luke’s Church in Dudley, and to boost work already under way at All Saints Church in Worcester. In Southwell and Nottingham Diocese, existing churches will be given further support in Nottingham, Retford and Mansfield in Nottinghamshire which in turn will help to support 75 new worshipping communities.
In Leicester Diocese a £5.3 million grant has been awarded to support six existing larger churches or teams, in developing up to 50 new churches, or worshipping communities, in the area. In Newcastle, a new church will be created in the city centre that will provide support to churches throughout the area.
A grant of £2.14 million has been awarded to Manchester Diocese to create 16 new small churches over six years, and to work with children in Bolton, especially at the points of transition from pre-school to primary school and from primary to secondary school. In Peterborough Diocese a £1.1 million grant will be used to invest in ministry with children and young people.
The grants from the Church of England’s Strategic Development Fund have been awarded to the dioceses as part of the Renewal and Reform programme aimed at creating a growing church in all places for all people.
Press reports
Olivia Rudgard The Telegraph Churches meet in coffee shops to reinvigorate congregations
Harriet Sherwood The Guardian C of E to create 100 new churches as number of Anglicans hits new low
Christian Today Church of England goes for growth with more than 100 new churches planned
Madeleine Davies and James MacIntyre Church Times Communities on the edges gain funding
A list of the 10 dioceses to receive funding is below the fold.
Here is the list of the 10 dioceses to receive funding:
Bristol
Pattern Church – A catalyst for mission in Swindon
For development of a new church in Swindon, based in the Pattern Store, a former GWR railway works building next to the Designer Outlet commercial centre. The church will be known as ‘Pattern Church’ and will be launched in December 2018 with a vision to “Love Jesus, Build family and Serve Swindon”.
Rt Revd Dr Lee Rayfield, Bishop of Swindon, said: “The Pattern Church is set to become the home base for providing fresh energy, people and approaches which will resource other churches across the town and contribute to social transformation.
“This is an inspiring and challenging vision, both for Swindon and for the Diocese of Bristol. It is a venture of considerable faith and reflects what Jesus Christ has laid on many of our hearts for this very special town.”
(£1.49 million)
Canterbury
Nine new worshipping communities throughout the diocese and the Channel Islands, based on the model of “Ignite”, a church gathering which aims to reach marginalised and deprived communities. Ignite offers an unconditional welcome to all and weekly meetings involve food and a magazine-style service based around short interactive activities and input exploring a Christian theme.
The Bishop of Dover, Trevor Willmott, said: “The Gospel is core to everything Ignite is about. It begins with unconditional welcome to all who walk through the door, the assurance that they utterly belong and that Jesus is good news for them too, no matter who they are or where they’ve been. We’ve been simply astonished by the success of the first Ignite congregations and we can’t wait to see what happens next.”
(£887,015)
Ely
Changing Market Towns church growth project in Wisbech, March, Chatteris, Littleport, Ramsey, Huntingdon and Downham Market. The funding will help attract new congregations and set up new forms of church services. It will also help to pay for a network of community support workers with family, youth and other specialisms, leading the work of the Church of England in the area in transforming their communities. Other elements of the project will include the development of a learning community for theology and mission in Wisbech. This will aim to equip lay (non-ordained) ministers and other trained volunteers to develop new partnerships between the churches and the wider community.
The Rt Revd Stephen Conway, Bishop of Ely, said: “I am delighted that this major project has received support from the Strategic Development Fund. We hope that, through it, very many more people will be enabled to join a journey of faith and share in God’s work of transforming their communities. It is far-reaching, complex and ambitious and an expression of our faith in the power of God.”
(£2.13 million)
Exeter
New churches in three estates on the outskirts of Plymouth. As well as bringing renewed spiritual life to their communities, the churches will work with families, children and young people and will have close links with Christians Against Poverty (CAP). There will be a part-time debt coach working from each of the new churches, together with job clubs and a chance for residents to attend CAP’s Money Course. It is hoped that the new church communities will result in up to nine new churches in and around the city.
The Rt Revd Robert Atwell, Bishop of Exeter, said: “We are thrilled by the news that this project has got the go-ahead and look forward to engaging with people in these communities in new and exciting ways.
“We want the people of Plymouth to experience the joy of knowing God’s love and of building friendships within a dynamic church community.”
(£1.69 million)
Leicester
Supporting a network of six existing churches in key city centre and market town locations that will provide clergy and help support more new churches in the area. The aim is to see an increase in the size of the worshipping communities within the six churches by 1400 people, to establish 20-50 worshipping communities and to see around one new ‘fresh expression’ of church, or new form of church gathering, every two years alongside strategic church ‘plants’ every four years.
Bishop of Leicester, Martyn Snow, said: “We are delighted that the Church Commissioners are supporting us in responding to God’s call to develop more ‘resourcing’ churches specific to the context of Leicestershire.
“Through them we hope to bless our communities and see God’s Kingdom grow, especially in better serving and reaching the 93% of people who are not currently part of any Christian community.
“Please pray for all those involved in an audacious and ambitious vision and, if you are interested in being part of it, we advertise the first four new Associate Vicar roles this week.”
(£5.34 million)
Manchester
Projects that will help grow a younger and more diverse church, particularly in areas of high deprivation. The aim is to plant 16 small churches over six years on estates and deprived communities in the poorest areas and those with the lowest church attendance across Greater Manchester and Rossendale.
The money will also enable the Church of England to invest in work with children, families and schools in the Bolton area.
The Bishop of Manchester, Dr David Walker, said: “I’m delighted that Manchester has been supported with this award of over £2 million. Jesus came to bring Good News to the poor and this grant will enable us to grow small churches in our most needy areas that enrich people’s lives through new-found faith and the fellowship of others in their community.
“It will also enable us to engage more deeply with children and families in our Church Schools and local pre-school groups in the Bolton area, helping more young people to retain their Christian faith and identity.”
(£2.14 million)
Newcastle
Project to promote church life in the city centre by creating a church in the city centre that will provide clergy and support to other churches in the area. The church is targeting 17 to 45-year olds who study, live and work in the city centre. This includes around 67,000 students, as well as city workers and their families. Over time, it will act as a catalyst for growth across the whole diocese, offering support and resources to churches throughout Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle.
The Bishop of Newcastle, Christine Hardman, said: “The news that we have been successful in securing such significant funding to create our own Resource Church is wonderful and supports God’s call to us to be faithful and bold in everything that we do. This ambitious and exciting project will help transform Christian life across the Diocese. As the Resource Church grows, it will be able to provide support and resources to other churches as they too seek to grow and develop.”
(£2.6 million)
Peterborough
Generation to Generation project to invest in training and employment of children and youth missioners to develop innovative and effective outreach and discipleship amongst young people. The project is part of a wider strategy to raise the profile of ministry with children and young people at all levels in the diocese. It will develop the diocese’s successful Youth Ministry Apprenticeship from a one-year programme into a five-year training pathway leading to sustainable employment as licensed children and youth missioners. Parishes will be supported to develop new patterns of children’s, youth and intergenerational ministry and to act as resource centres for their deanery.
The Bishop of Peterborough, Donald Allister, said: “I am delighted that we have been awarded a grant from the Strategic Development Fund. This is a tribute to the excellent work of Pete White, our Director of Children and Youth, and his team. This money will enable us to deliver degree-level training to youth workers, bringing real benefit to both church and wider community.”
(£1.13 million)
Southwell and Nottingham
Project to develop four churches and the creation of future church plants. The grant will help develop 75 new worshipping communities by 2023 along with a School of Discipleship to focus on the spiritual formation and training of lay disciples and leaders in mission. This will incorporate new licensed Lay Ministry/Reader courses training people for a wider range of ministries, including children, youth, worship leading, preaching, nurture groups, pastoral, evangelists and church planting.
(£4.67 million)
Worcester
All Saints’ Church in Worcester and St Thomas & St Luke in Dudley (‘Top Church’) will each receive funding to develop their church buildings and employ additional team members to enable them to grow, serve their local communities and become a resource for other churches across the diocese.
The Bishop of Worcester, Dr John Inge, said: “We’re absolutely delighted that the Church Commissioners are supporting this new project. Research has shown how bringing resources into an area to fund intentional mission can have an impact much wider than the individual churches. Resourcing Churches have been very successful across the Church of England in bringing more people to faith and All Saints and Top Church are both an important part of the mix as to how we can better serve and reach those who are not currently part of any Christian community.”
(£5 million)
On the whole, much to celebrate ( as I listened on live stream), but my question is: What about the Diocese in Europe? Are we supporting any “ renewal & reform” there? The Diocese is growing fast and is “ at the coal face “ in terms of political, social & cultural trends/crises of our time eg migration, ecumenism etc etc Although I heard our representative speak at least twice in Synod, I notice a silence around this area? Also: why don’t our “ over 40” candidates for ministry training ( Band E?) have any access to residential training? Sometimes… Read more »
Your ordinands over 40 have the same access to residential training as any other over 40s, but, as with any diocese it largely depends on how your training apportionment works out – if you have money left over from the under 32s, it can supplement the money that over 32s get. Meanwhile, most over 32s in your diocese come to the Eastern Region Ministry Course which is of course excellent….
(ans is where I teach…)
Why are under 32’s (or indeed, any group?) given preference for different options for training instead of everything being on an even “case by case” basis, depending on what is discerned/recommended as the best course in terms of formation needs & calling for that individual circumstance? I work in special needs education: we can’t preference for example child A who is dyslexic over child B who is ASD but must start with the needs, potential & context of each individual to make our funding go around…..
Yes, I tend to agree Andrea, but there has always been this age bias built into the system. I voted against the current funding mechanism when it came to General Synod.
“In Newcastle, a new church will be created in the city centre that will provide support to churches throughout the area.” I thought there was one already: the Cathedral of St Nicholas! With the appointment of a new Dean, this would have been an excellent opportunity to staff and reshape the Cathedral’s ministry on a ‘Minster’ model, as a mission resource for the city, while continuing to provide a center of excellence in worship, preaching, education and social engagement. All too often, we end up throwing money at new initiatives because there is a paucity of imagination in reshaping what… Read more »
The Cathedral is not happy-clappy. It also has an organ, and an altar rather than a power-point screen. No one is likely to be attracted to anything resembling a church. It’s better to pretend we run cafes.
I have a friend in Leicester Diocese, an experienced priest of broadly liberal catholic persuasion, a long way from ‘happy clappy’. He told me today he is absolutely delighted with the grants that Leicester diocese will receive.
I worship in a former community centre, now a function “room” with 3 bars and a dance floor. It is adjacent to a large housing estate. Our Sunday service, the only service, is “edgy”, there is no sermon, instead we have a lively discussion, whilst the music is right up to date.The prayers, offered by a member of the congragtion vary each week in style. However, we find that people don’t or are unable to recognise us as a legitimate church because there are no stain glass windows, no pews and no Norman arches.Baptism celebrations are frequently held in the… Read more »
Its a strange thing but I recently went to an ecumenical service in a community centre and found it far more comfortable and less threatening (as well as having good disabled access, hearing loop etc,cafe,bar ) than a Church. Though brought in the Anglican Church I find crucifixes stained glass pulpits etc really threatening, I said this to others who agreed, perhaps neutral community buildings might get people in and give the centres a bit of income. Since our service, we had 2 bookings for humanist funerals. I am not especially anti and need to reflect more deeply about why… Read more »
Newcastle is the only one of the cities mentioned that I know reasonably well. Besides the Cathedral there is, or was, St John the Baptist (anglo-catholic); St Andrew (central); St Thomas the Martyr (radical-liberal), all in the city centre. As well as Jesmond Parish Church (extremely conservative evangelical) just outside it. Are they proposing setting up an entirely new church/congregation in addition to these, or putting the resources into strengthening or reviving the mission of the others?
Thank you, @Andrea Middleton. Quite right. The Diocese in Europe is growing (and has been growing over the past 20 years while the rest of the CofE – except London – has been sliding into decline and malaise). It is serving culturally and linguistically diverse congregations that are ministering effectively to people who are long way from home. This is not an ex-pat colony, and the three ordination candidates this year were not British. We produce over 40 candidates every year, but ordain few to serve in the Diocese because we have such limited financial resources. We cover one sixth… Read more »
Yes, Mary and Andrea – your diocese is brilliant and you have sent us some fantastic ordinands (to ERMC). Their presence in the student body brings a whole new dimension to our community and the English ordinands and Readers learn much from them – and we all learn what is really going on in Europe and not just what the British press report! We are the only TEI to have this European dimension which I think is an incredible advantage for all our staff and students. By the way, Justin Welby was a member of St Michael’s Paris for a… Read more »
Dear Charles, I can’t say that I ( and others) of whom I know have had a good experience at the ” enquiry ” stage and this needs radical and rapid reform, especially as it was so different to what happened to everyone I spoke to based in a UK Diocese! On my own initiative I then went to a ” vocations” weekend at St John’s Nottingham, which was a completely different and much more ” normal” experience, and one in which everyone in the group ( based in the UK) was astonished and surprised by what I had to… Read more »
What do the clergy of the existing parishes think about these initiatives? Have they – with their historic investment in these areas – been involved?
I don’t know about the schemes in other dioceses, but in Ely diocese the plan is to invest this money in schemes in existing parish churches in some of our market towns. The plan has been carefully put together over the last couple of years in conjunction with the parishes involved along with other similar parishes.
Meanwhile, as Reform and Renewal is attempting to recreate the Church of England as an HTB-like brand, we are being told that it is not church plants and other ‘fresh expressions’ that are attracting the young, but cathedrals. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/07/12/young-people-head-church-peace-quiet-even-dont-believe-god/amp/?
The ‘hard sell’ of Alpha and other attempts to tightly define what people believe are not scratching where many outside the Church are itching. But Choral Evensong is. Are the Commissioners and the Archbishops’ Council missing something here – especially with their barely concealed ‘grab’ at cathedrals?
Alan. I agree it is good that cathedrals are “scratching where many outside the church are itching”. But evidence that, for this cohort of people, it is specifically choral evensong that is doing the business. The piece you linked to quoted “”You do often get people who wander in, sit quietly for five or ten minutes and then wander off again. It’s seen as a safe place to collect your thoughts.” Could it be that cathedrals offer a fruitful space for quiet solo contemplation, rather than a chance to actively engage with either the cathedral community or the liturgy. Is… Read more »
Alan This is a caricature. R&R is no one thing. Nor is it church plants ‘or’ Cathedrals, Alpha ‘or’ choral evensong.
Alan, are we reading the same article? It goes on to say that young people also like church plants such a Gas Street (an HTB plant) and Soul Survivior. The report’s author also implies that Alpha is helpful in assisting those that do come through the door to work out what they believe. So, I don’t see where “we are being told that it is not church plants and other fresh expressions that are attracting the young.” I am sure Choral Evensong is attractive to many young people, but surely we aspire to fuller discipleship than someone popping in for… Read more »
“…surely we aspire to fuller discipleship than someone popping in for a service (or part of one), from time to time?” @Nick. It depends what you mean by ‘fuller discipleship.’ There is an assumption that ‘discipleship’ can only be expressed in narrowly defined terms. Is a hermit, living in a caravan on the edges of a monastic enclosure, not a ‘disciple’ – because s/he is not contributing by direct debit every month, not part of a house group, not part of the welcome team on Sunday mornings, not inviting friends/colleagues/neighbours to church regularly? We need to get out of our… Read more »
@Will Richards, I speak as someone who is not part of a house group, has not recently served in any role/team, and has not invited any friends/colleagues/neighbours to church (although does have a standing order for giving), and I don’t define discipleship in that way. I also don’t doubt that an individual can be an excellent discipline on their own. Having said that, I don’t really know any form of church that doesn’t value and encourage community: from the monasteries, to anglo-catholicism to all the different shades of Roman Catholicism, to house churches, evangelicals whether charismatic or reformed, to liberal… Read more »
Reading the Nick/Will Richards exchange, I wonder if they – and others – might find this piece a refreshing change from some of the more ‘formulaic’ missiology doing the rounds, not least because it is thoroughly rooted in a notion of community that has a sustained pedigree in the Church.
http://churchlife.nd.edu/2018/07/17/the-benedictine-charism-of-slow-evangelization/
FINANCIAL AND RESOURCE ASPECTS OF THE “NEW PLANTS” SCHEME ~ EXETER VERSION Introduction As part of the new drive to increase “numbers attending” Exeter diocese has joined the “New Plants” scheme. Exeter’s associated press release has enabled a closer examination of the scheme’s underlying philosophy. The standard of analysis of this post may not meet a particularly high level but it is, perhaps, better than that which went into identifying and solving the underlying problem. Exeter’s press release is at: http://exeter.anglican.org/church-of-england-chooses-plymouth-for-major-investment-to-revitalise-church-communities/ The amounts involved The amounts involved must be put in context Quote: “The Church Commissioners have agreed to a… Read more »