Church Growth Research Project: Church Planting November 2013 Oxford Centre for Ecclesiology and Practical Theology Ripon College, Cuddesdon David Dadswell and Cathy Ross Church Growth Research Project: Church Planting November 2013 Contents 2 20 Recommendations for Church Planters ...................................................................................................................... 4 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................... 6 2. Methodology ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.1 Purpose ................................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.2 A Qualitative Approach ....................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3 Data Collection ...................................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1 The Researchers ......................................................................................................................................... 7 2.3.2 The Sample .................................................................................................................................................. 8 2.3.3 The Material ..............................................................................................................................................10 2.3.4 The Approach and Process of the Visits ..............................................................................................11 2.4 Analysis of the Material ...........................................................................................................................12 3. Church Plants: Meeting places ..................................................................................................................................14 3.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................14 3.2 New Church Buildings ........................................................................................................................................14 3.3 Existing Church Buildings .................................................................................................................................14 3.4 Other Meeting Spaces ........................................................................................................................................16 3.5 Concluding Thoughts .........................................................................................................................................17 4. Church Planting Models ..............................................................................................................................................18 4.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................18 4.2 Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB) Model .................................................................................................................18 4.3 Minster Model ......................................................................................................................................................20 4.4 St Helen’s Bishopsgate (SHB) Model ...............................................................................................................21 4.5 Co-Mission ............................................................................................................................................................22 4.6 Network Churches/Missional Communities (MCs) Model ...........................................................................22 4.7 Anglo-Catholic Models .......................................................................................................................................24 4.8 Cell Model .............................................................................................................................................................25 4.9 Giving Away the Best ........................................................................................................................................25 4.10 Experimentation and Failure ............................................................................................................................25 4.11 Concluding Thoughts .........................................................................................................................................26 5. Missiological approaches ...........................................................................................................................................27 5.1 Church Planting DNA ..........................................................................................................................................27 5.2 Clear Vision, Purpose and Structure................................................................................................................27 5.3 Ecclesiology ..........................................................................................................................................................28 5.4 Relational & Incarnational ................................................................................................................................29 5.5 Healing ..................................................................................................................................................................30 5.6 Presence ...............................................................................................................................................................30 5.7 Quality or Inclusion ............................................................................................................................................30 5.8 Worship .................................................................................................................................................................31 5.9 Welcome Systems ..............................................................................................................................................32 5.10 Groups ...................................................................................................................................................................32 5.11 Alpha ....................................................................................................................................................................33 5.12 Groups for Different Constituencies ................................................................................................................34 5.13 Groups and Growth ............................................................................................................................................34 5.14 Children’s, Youth and Family Work .................................................................................................................35 5.15 Concluding Thoughts .........................................................................................................................................36 6. The Role of the Diocese and Other Bodies .............................................................................................................37 6.1 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................................37 6.2 Policy and Strategy .............................................................................................................................................37 6.3 Planting Churches’ Relationship with the Diocese ....................................................................................39 6.4 Support at the Start, Consultation and Settling In ......................................................................................40 6.5 Continuing Support.............................................................................................................................................40 3 6.6 Canon Law, Rules and Structures ....................................................................................................................41 6.7 Buildings ...............................................................................................................................................................42 6.8 Impact on Other Churches ...............................................................................................................................42 6.9 Tradition and Tribalism ......................................................................................................................................43 6.10 The Role of Networks and Other Bodies ........................................................................................................44 6.11 Concluding Thoughts .........................................................................................................................................45