In an article in the April edition of Niagara Anglican Online, Dr. John Bowen, (Wycliffe College‘s Professor of Evangelism and Director of the Institute of Evangelism,) makes the case for starting new forms of church in our post-Christendom context.
Time to start new churches
John Bowen
By John Bowen
Published: April 2011
If church attendance is declining, what should be our response? Start new churches, of course!
If that seems counter-intuitive, consider the following:
- One reason churches decline is that populations move, and churches do not move with them. What about new churches for new population centres?
- There is clear evidence that there are more “new Christians” in new churches than in older churches. There is something that makes a new church more readily accessible to someone who is exploring faith.
- New churches are nimble—like young children—and able to adapt to newcomers, new cultures and new demands more readily than older churches which often suffer from structural and cultural arthritis.
Nick Brotherwood is Assistant Director of the Institute of Evangelism. Since January 2011 he is also incumbent and pastor of St. Stephen's Church, Westmount, QC. In 2006, he was made a canon of Christ Church Cathedral in Montreal. In 2003, he and his wife Sue led a team which planted a new church—Emerge—focusing on 18-25 year olds in downtown Montreal. He was Bishop’s Missioner to Young Adults in the Diocese of Montreal from 2003 until the end of 2010. From 1989 till 2002, he was on the staff of St. Stephen’s Anglican Church, Westmount QC, where he served first as Assistant, then as Associate and finally as Priest in Charge. For a part of this time, he was also a chaplain at McGill University. Nick has extensive experience in Christian camping. In the 1970’s, he was a professional rock drummer—a skill he has never lost. Nick is married to Sue, and they have six children and four grandchildren at the last count. Nick has a long-term commitment to congregational health and evangelism, has wide experience of the church and its ministries, and a passion for seeing Fresh Expressions of Church spring up throughout out country. Click here to read all articles by Nick Brotherwood
Someone once told me in regards to church planting:
“It’s easier to make a baby than to raise the dead”.
Respected Sir,
I am Sajawal Masih. I am Preacher and lecturerar in a college.I want to spread your church in Pakistan. Please send me the DOctrine of your church. I want to serve my christian community in church planting and Education Improvement.I am sure you will like to work in Pakistan.I am living in Youhana Abad Lahore Which has near about Two lakhs christian here.
With best wishes
Sajawal Masih