Church planting is an expression of the missionary nature of the Church. An analogy for the enterprise drawn from horticulture is a good one, suggesting the organic nature of the Church and emphasising the importance of the ground, the surroundings, the climate and the time. Recalling the use of it by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 3:5ff, emphasises the collaborative nature of the endeavour and the dependence on God for growth.
Church planting is not new in the Church of England. Daughter Churches are a familiar sight, and there are also Chapels of Ease, Conventional Districts and Mission Churches, each with their legal status. Church planting is an effective expression of mission that seeks to reach as many people as possible with the gospel.
Most Anglican church planting takes place within parishes. However, there may be a need or opportunity to pass on the gospel across parish boundaries, for example in an area of housing or development where there is little church presence or by following natural networks or noting a locality in which many church members are resident.
Mission may need to follow natural groupings and relationships with the minimum of institutional obstacles. Flexibility is called for, with careful consultation and goodwill.
Ease of travel and increase of mobility have caused some people to find a sense of belonging less in terms of a geographical neighbourhood and more in terms of specific interest networks.
Networks are communities of interest. There may be a large number of varied communities of interest within a parish, as well as those that gather people from across a wide area. Examples include ethnic communities, associations of young people, clubs for working or business or professional people, or sports activities. Breaking New Ground - Church Planting in the Church of England, Church House Publishing 1994, recognises that for mission to be earthed in wider communities may mean taking seriously networks which express themselves beyond the bounds of parishes.
The Church of England traditionally sees itself as a sign of the love of God available to all people. The parochial structure, with its commitment in principle to every resident, remains a vital expression of this love. Incarnational mission, however, can also be understood in terms of Christian presence in networks as well as in geographical localities.
Strategic, collaborative planning is essential. To make the most of the opportunities effective leadership, consultation, vision, calling, empowerment and ownership are required and a partnership needs to be established between clergy and laity and between parishes in a "town", a deanery or area.
Mission must be rooted in people gathering for prayer.
Church plants are of varying types. To continue the horticultural analogy, types may be identified as Runners, Grafts, Transplants and Seeds depending on the relationship with the parent or planting church and the size of the plant. Experience suggests that the strongest and healthiest growth occurs if a new congregation moves as rapidly as possible to equal partnership with a sponsoring church.
Good relationships need to be maintained throughout whether the Church Plant
is from within a parish or from outside. Christ's peace, courtesy, self-knowledge
and mutual respect are critical. Consultation and agreement are essential with
the incumbent and PCC of any parish in which a proposed congregation is to operate.
The wider consultative process must include, as appropriate, the Bishop, clergy,
lay leaders, PCCs, ecumenical partners and community leaders. The Area Council
and Deanery Synod should be informed of such plans at an early stage in their
development.
