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fresh expressions of church

still there and are not only actual members of the resurrected

church but are vibrant members of the new congregation.

They have been enfolded and incorporated. The other blessing

was that in the first six weeks of the much invigorated worship

and mission 50 people who were local joined the 100 plus

people who came from Holy Trinity Brompton.

There has been an overflowing of commitment in worship,

outreach and teaching. Careful long term planning and

generous partnership liberate from anxiety and distress and

show positive results of new life and new ways of being church

in the community.

Partnership with the bishop is the key. There is no room for empire building,

or sectarian or illegal action. Nor is there room for treating major churches

or networks as somehow `un Anglican'. Each diocese needs to include

partnership with the major resource churches or networks in its area as 

part of its proactive mission and planting strategy. The resource churches

and networks need to combine faithfulness to their vision with a servant

role in the mission of the whole Church. Such partnerships also open up

the possibility of well resourced churches offering or enabling ministry in

areas of deprivation.

school based and school linked congregations

and churches

The Dearing Report

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identified that Church schools are at the centre 

of the Church's mission to the nation, and connections between school 

and church show signs of growing. Some Church schools have begun 

after school groups that become church. These meet late afternoon

midweek, and may or may not be eucharistic.

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They draw primary 

school children, parents of both sexes and grandparents. The more

accessible style may suit some newer Christians. Partners of believers 

can also come, and the comment is often made, `we understand what

you're on about'.

A story: Thatcham, West Berkshire

Thatcham is one of the fastest growing towns in the country.

The Anglican team identified work with schools as vital to their

ministry in the town. It also became clear that there were

significant numbers of Christians in the town whose lifestyles

made attending Sunday worship difficult.

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