The purpose of this workstream
To grow and multiply new worshipping communities, and through targeted investment in several settings, including parishes, a school, and new housing areas, catalyse growth and resource other parishes through learning, outreach and models of sustainable mission.
The money awarded for this work
The National Church’s Strategic Mission and Ministry Investment Board (SMMIB) has awarded £4.998m for this area of work.
What this will enable
• Targeted investment for new worshipping communities in the following 15 places:
- St Philip, Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge
- St Andrew's, Paddock Wood, Tonbridge
- St Gabriel's, Kings Hill, Tonbridge
- St Mary’s, Gravesend, Rochester
- Holy Trinity, Twydall (Gillingham),Rochester
- East Dartford Benefice (St Edmund’s & St Alban’s), Rochester
- Ebbsfleet (Garden City), Rochester
- St John’s, Chatham - Centre of Mission, Rochester
- St Francis, Strood, Rochester
- St Margaret's, Rainham, Rochester
- St George's, Beckenham, Bromley and Bexley
- Christ Church, Anerley (Beckenham), Bromley and Bexley
- St Augustine’s, Bromley Common, Bromley and Bexley
- Christ Church, Erith, Bromley and Bexley
- St Augustine, Slade Green,Bromley and Bexley
The places were identified through a collaborative process as the Called Together vision and strategy was developed. Between 2021 and 2023, the Diocese carried out mapping work to understand local communities, looking at population trends, community needs, and patterns of church life.
Using this, Archdeacons and Area Deans helped identify a small number of parishes where it seemed right to begin focused work - places showing particular opportunity and where local leaders expressed that they were ready to explore new approaches in partnership with the Diocese.
This wasn’t a competitive process and does not take away from the great work already happening in many other parishes across the Diocese, who are engaged in inspiring mission and service.
These projects simply form an initial group to help understanding about how best to support mission and renewal more widely across the Diocese and then share that learning with all parishes.
• Recruitment of clergy, pioneer and lay posts to parishes with a clear plan for mission and growth
• Capital investment in some areas to make buildings fit for mission
The difference it will make
- Up to 48 new worshipping communities, with 12 focused on Children, Young People and Families
- 1,260 new adult Christians and 500 under-16s
- Stronger parishes equipped to plant/graft
- Sharing learning and experience gained about best practice and succesful models of sustainable mission so all parishes benefit
Who is leading this workstream
Canon Matthew Girt, Diocesan Secretary
Ravi Pooni, Missional Development Places Project Manager - ravinder.pooni@rochester.anglican.org