Seeds of Hope

NCLS Seeks All Things New

An invitation to take part in the NCLS New Initiatives Project

Are you involved in a fresh expression of church?
You are invited to take part in the NCLS New Initiatives Project.

This project seeks to map the presence of new initiatives across Australia, identify emerging themes, describe new models and explore what is required for new initiatives to be effective and sustainable.

During an exploratory stage (2005-06), we hope to create an initial map, share stories of experiments and new life, as well as, perhaps, provide a point of contact that encourages mutual support. In the future, the project will aim to explore questions of health and vitality among new ventures.

What is ‘new’?

An initial working definition: Any Christian initiative
(such as worship service, gathering, mission activity, network etc)
that has commenced since 1991.

Why get involved?

Get on the ‘map’ Make a contribution to a ‘map’ of new ventures across Australia. It is only exploratory at this stage, and, of course, will never be complete. This map will be the foundation for further research analysis. Be part of the New Initiatives Directory NCLS will build an online directory of new ventures. If listed, you can find out about other ventures, encourage and support other pioneers, share experiences, and enable potential new participants to make contact with you. NB You may choose to only be part of the research ‘map’, and not be listed in the public Directory. Inspire and inform the wider church Stories of hope, new life & possibility will inspire other church leaders and attenders. Sharing the struggles and costs of being involved in new ventures is also critical. Link with supportive networks NCLS Research aims to form partnerships with other organisations committed to supporting new initiatives. Examples of what they may offer include mission training, leadership development, advocacy, mentoring, e-groups, events, theological reflection, money, equipment, resources, and infrastructure support (eg accounting, public liability, insurance etc). If you wish, NCLS will put you in touch with these organisations.

Who is NCLS Research?

NCLS Research is an agency that seeks to assist churches to move forward to encourage the wider community to reflect upon its spiritual journey well known for the National Church Life Survey, a survey of church attenders years. NCLS Research is currently sponsored by The Uniting Church (Diocese of Sydney) and the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference.

About the NCLS New Initiatives Project

Research project to map fresh expressions of church

When Triple J, the ABC youth radio station, uses ‘emerging church’ as their Buzzword of the Week, it is time for church researchers to get to work. “We are seeking all new ventures and hope that they make themselves known to us,” says Dr Ruth Powell, NCLS researcher.

Talk of fresh expressions of church or the ‘emerging church’ has become more prevalent over the last decade. “It is a priority for NCLS to attend to fresh expressions of church. In this new project we hope to create an exploratory map, share stories of experiments and new life, as well as, perhaps, providing a point of contact that encourages mutual support,” said Dr Powell.

Researchers face the challenge that fresh expressions of church often resist definition and tend to be ‘below the radar’. “In this initial stage, we plan to throw the net as wide as possible,” said Dr Powell. A ‘new venture’ is defined as any Christian initiative (such as worship service, gathering, mission activity, network etc) that commenced since 1991 ie currently less than 15 years old.

“We are also interested in ventures that no longer exist, as they will help provide clues about sustainability”, added Dr Powell.

The exploratory phase of the project commences in April 2005. It will continue alongside the 2006 National Church Life Survey, however the team will also need to use a range of different methods to gather both data and stories for this project.

In the future, the project will aim to explore questions of health and vitality. What is required for a new initiative to be effective and sustainable?

If you are part of a fresh expression of church,  or know of one, please go online and register at new.ncls.org.au

or contact Ruth Powell  (02) 8267 4394
PO Box A2178 Sydney South, 1235.

Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. Is 43:19

NCLS RESEARCH
PO Box A2178
Sydney South NSW 1235
Australia
Email
P: 02 8267 4394
F: 02 9267 7316
new.ncls.org.au
www.churchsearch.org.au