New Congregations
About
Why are new congregations, new initiatives and new forms of church important? There are a lot of reasons, including:
- The context the church operates in has changed and the church needs to respond to those changes by working out what of the existing church needs to change, what needs to stay the same and what needs to be re-presented for the new context.
- The missional task of sharing good news and making disciples is increasingly incomplete in Western society.
- There is also a need to recognise new ways of being church other than the traditional congregation that meet the purpose of a congregation.
- The meeting of people to engage with God in the world through fellowship, listening, serving, encourage and understanding of what a life in Christ is like.
- To encourage the exploration of peoples experience of life and spirituality so that they can understand what a life of discipleship and worship is like.
Community Activities
We need more of these Fresh Expressions of church that connect with our communities. These communities can be opportunity shops, coffee shops, men's sheds, community gardens, soccer teams, English classes and play groups. Check out our database of COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES in the NSW Uniting Church. Contact us if you would like to network with any of these groups. For those wanting to start a Community Garden or Men's shed 'How to' guides are available - 'Church Based Community' Gardening By Miriam Pepper / Community Food / Men's Sheds
New churches in expanding housing areas and in high rise building developments.
New cultural group own language churches, 'Messy church' with children or special churches with children or young adults from other cultures.
Increasingly, we need to develop new congregations alongside existing congregations that have lost touch with some or all of their communities.
The UME will help if possible;
If you would you like a visit, help with resources, some mission planning or training or with some possible funding look at the Resource page or Contact page for more information or details.
Rediscovering Hope is a new resource which encourages mission through hospitality.
Funding Sources
Finding Money for Mission
A guide to sources of funding for new congregations and faith communities.
Click Money for Mission
The Synod Mission Resource Fund (SMRF) annually distributes one third of the Uniting Church NSW Synod's budget to new and innovative forms of ministry. It may be possible for your congregation, presbytery or other Uniting Church body to access some of these funds.
The New Mission Gatherings Seed Fund is a sub category of the SMRF. This fund offers grants of up to $5 000 (up to $10 000 under certain conditions) primarily towards the establishment and support of new initiatives and faith communities.
There are four rounds of funding per year, so it is possible to apply for funds throughout the year.