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The information on this site is provided in good faith as guidance and stimulus to those involved in the Church’s strategy for new housing areas. No responsibility can be accepted for information which is inaccurate, and professional advice specific to particular places should be sought.
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| New Church Examples | 20th Feb '07 |
| It is often assumed that new housing areas mean a green field site where a church needs to be planned. That may not be the case if other churches are within travelling distance, or if other buildings can be used for congregational use. |
In addition, all sorts of unusual circumstances exist, like the new housing to go up on the old USAF bomber base at Upper Heyford in Oxfordshire. The developer was a devout Christian and the USAF left a fully equipped church. The local churches have appointed a Church Army evangelist to create a Christian community there from a building which already exists. Visit: www.heyfordchapel.co.uk.
In another instance, the church and school have worked together and built a joint building for community use. In another, the partnership has been with the local surgery. In another instance the developers have offered land, but the problem lies with the local churches raising significant funds to put up a building. Every situation is different.
Examples of new churches, can be found in the paper 'Springhead Concept' in the resources section. Three are pictured there i.e. of:
- St Edmunds 'Living Well' in Dartford which is an church / surgery / Sure Start / Healthy Living / and Community Café centre
- Bromley by Bow URC / day Nursery / IT /café / Health Centre / Homework Club / Enterprise Club
- Kings Centre, Chessington, (originally RAF Chessington) and the MOD / Local Authority provided leisure space and church/leisure centre
'What kind of church and what kind and community?' - and in what order? - and does or should one lead to the other? ... are all important issues to consider. They deserve much discussion and prayer with colleagues.
In particular some of the lessons learnt from previous new housing estates built in the 1950/60/70's deserve further reflection. Lots of new church buildings were erected in this time, but what are we to learn of them and their communities now? We would be glad to hear stories of how such lessons have been learnt and what the implications you consider to be important for us today. Please contact us. |
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