The phrase church planting, in this context, is a catch all to describe a range of different projects that create new worshipping communities of a relatively large scale. This includes the starting of completely new churches in areas of need and the revitalisation of existing churches. Revitalisation means a new leader and team coming into an existing church / parish context and creating something new with those already there. It is essentially a partnership that sees a new expression of church start within an existing parish and its structures. Evidence from across the country suggests that both these types of new worshipping communities are a good, and sustainable way, to reach new people and grow the church. Moving forward mission planning at an Oversight Area level will help us identify the opportunities for new initiatives and the churches with the capacity to send leaders and teams.
Revitalisation at St Mary’s Bearwood
St Mary’s prominent Victorian red brick building is situated in the midst of a bustling commercial high street in the south of Smethwick – a West Midlands town that neighbours the north-western edge of the city of Birmingham. St Mary’s Bearwood was faced with hard decisions about its future and took the brave step of welcoming a new journey of revitalisation for the church. A partnership between St Mary’s and St John’s Harborne was established, to seek new life and missional vitality in St Mary’s and the wider community. The team led by Revd Ben Baker are now embarking on a new chapter, a journey of change and looking for new life in the church and community. They launched a new pattern of services in September 2022 and are exploring new ways of sharing and demonstrating God’s good news to Bearwood.
For further information, please visit St Mary's Bearwood website.
