As part of the New Churches Research Project, respondents reporting new churches were invited to share more detailed information about their practices and the support that was made available to them.
The most common types of support received were ongoing coaching, supervision or mentoring (79%), and training (74%).
A 'new church' is defined in this research project as one started since 2011. This article provides a snapshot of the 428 new churches recorded in the New Churches Database up to 12 April 2024. Nearly 100 churches provided additional detail about their practices and the support that was made available to them.
Link to ‘parent’ bodies
Of the group who provided extra information (93 churches), nearly seven in ten (69%) had a link to a ‘parent’ such as a sending church or another linked body. At the time of the snapshot, 66% still had that link currently.
Type of support provided
Respondents were asked “What type of support (if any) have denominations or networks provided to this new church/gathering? (Select all that apply).”
Of the 81 churches who provided more information about types of support, the most common responses were ongoing coaching/supervision/mentoring (79%), and training (74%). Some two thirds had gone through assessment processes. Around half had received financial support (57%), administrative support (51%) and development pathways (46%). Only 23% had been given access to property.
|
Type of support provided
|
Number of new churches
|
%
|
|
Ongoing coaching/supervision/mentoring
|
64
|
79%
|
|
Training
|
60
|
74%
|
|
Assessment processes
|
53
|
65%
|
|
Financial support
|
46
|
57%
|
|
Administrative support
|
41
|
51%
|
|
Development pathways
|
37
|
46%
|
|
Access to property
|
19
|
23%
|
|
Other
|
5
|
6%
|
|
Total cases
|
81
|
|
Source: New Churches Database (entries up to 12 April 2024, n=81 churches out of 428 responded to this question).
Where, when and who?
For more information on where new churches are located, when they started and who is starting them, read our article New churches snapshot: where, when and who?
More detailed information on how new churches are being strategically supported and resourced, including sample Strategic Plans and Goals by denominations and movements, view the report: A Snapshot of New Churches in Australia: 2024
