BUC President Pastor Cecil Perry set the tone of the conference with his focus upon the fact that the future of the Church needs to be sown in the planting of new churches today. Case studies and other teaching throughout the weekend developed the concept of the "incarnational church" - what it means to continue the mission of Jesus as He began it by creating worshipping communities within different cultural groups, rather than expecting people from those groups to come to us. Well-known researcher and author Martin Robinson, was the guest presenter on Saturday afternoon - challenging planters to 'invade secular space' for God.

Building upon a strong Adventist heritage, church planting is gathering momentum in Britain, with more than 40 new churches or groups having emerged in the past five years, and at least 30 more now in the planning stage - including the exciting "Lights Across London" project. Church Planting co-ordinators David Cox (BUC), Humphrey Walters (SEC) and Paul Haworth (NEC), are developing and providing on-going equipping and coaching support systems for new churches and planters. Area 'Church Planting Awareness Days' are regularly organized to encourage more local churches to see church planting as a necessary part of the long-term growth strategy for every Adventist congregation.

Reflecting on the weekend, Pastor Cox said that he was encouraged to see an increasing number of new church initiatives being led by teams of self-supporting lay members, many of them young people. "It's good to see that the UK is also experiencing the renewal that is taking place worldwide. News headlines of unprecedented events serve as signs of Christ's soon return; but the biggest news of all is what God is doing to prepare people for that event," he remarked.

The next major church planting event is the Church Planters' Exchange to be held in Friedensau, Germany, 24-31 July. For details, contact your Union or Conference Church Planting coordinator.
Source:...BUC News -- Entered May 5, 2005

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