Are you interested in church planting or church revitalisation? Whether you’re exploring this for the first time or are already involved and eager to sharpen your skills, the Church Planting Track is designed for you.
The track brings together church planting modules, specialist tutorial support, supervised independent learning projects and dissertations (where these fit with your award), and the chance to connect with others who share your interest and with wider events in the field. We can also offer discounts for some other key events and, depending on how many are taking part, further activities at St Hild.
The UK Church & Church Planting
The UK Church has a long history of mission and church planting, and we are seeing renewed energy and excitement about it. Baptist, Anglican and other denominations in the North of England are significantly engaged in church planting and church revitalisation, and we want to play our part by training the people who will lead this work and join its teams. The Church Planting Track is one way we’re doing that.
What is the Church Planting Track?
The Church Planting Track is an accompanied learning journey that equips people to plant new churches and revitalise existing ones. You might be exploring this for the first time, preparing for a new plant, already leading one or overseeing several projects across a wider area.
Students on the track are typically enrolled in a church planting module or working on a dissertation or independent learning project focused on church planting or a related topic, which forms a key part of their academic journey.
Our church planting modules explore:
- Why we plant churches, and a theology to guide the work
- How mission and our understanding of the church shape planting
- What the book of Acts teaches us about planting
- Lessons from history, such as the early British Methodists
- Planting movements in the UK and around the world
- Models and traditions, from resource churches and Anglo-Catholic planting to the mixed ecology
- Contemporary themes, including women in church planting, apprenticeship and leadership development
The Student Experience
You’ll follow a study pathway tailored to you (both accredited and non-accredited options are available) and you’ll have access to wider events, such as the Multiply conference.
There are also opportunities to share what you’re learning and, where appropriate, to develop a public voice as an expert practitioner.
How does the track fit in with my programme of study?
The practitioner tracks are open to all St Hild students, at no additional charge. You can join alongside undergraduate or postgraduate study, or as part of an informal learning pathway arranged with one of our tutors. Whatever your entry point, we aim to inspire you, equip you and stretch you, and throughout you’ll be engaging with practitioner-academics.
Specialisms Include:
Church Planting, Mission on the Margins, Christian Spirituality and Rural Ministry
Explore study Options
Module Options
The track is flexible, so your focus can be narrower or broader, for example by including modules from our Mission on the Margins Track. You’ll talk through your module choices at interview, and we’ll confirm them in your individual study pathway. St Hild modules include midweek, evening and weekend study at Mirfield and Sheffield, as well as fully digital modules.
Core Church Planting Modules
Advanced Church Planting in Perspective/Church Planting in Perspective
An overview of the skills, dispositions and strategies relevant to church planting in various local and global contexts and an exploration of how church planting can enrich, and be enriched by, other theological perspectives. Led by Christian Selvaratnam.
Starting New Christian Communities
An introductory church planting course relevant to those looking to develop their foundations in church planting, team leadership and mission options for local contexts. Led by Christian Selvaratnam.
Independent projects and dissertations
Depending on your award, you can study church planting through a dissertation or independent learning project, with a supervisor who knows the field.
To explore church planting further, visit The St Hild Centre for Church Planting, a national centre for church planting in the North of England.
The Team
The track is supported by a team with particular expertise in church planting.
- Revd Canon Dr Christian Selvaratnam, Dean of Church Planting.
- Revd Dr Alex Harris, Director of the St Hild Centre for Church Planting
- Revd Dr Nick Allan, Director of the St Hild Centre for Baptist Ministry and minister of The Well Church, Sheffield.
- Abby Harris, Programme Manager and experienced church planter
For more information
If you’d like to find out more or talk through your next step, please contact Abby Harris, Programme Manager for the St Hild Centre for Church Planting through the contact form.
Is something stopping you from taking the leap?
Come and talk to us about special needs adjustments, options for grants and scholarships, and also childcare and travel concerns – we want you here and will find a way to help!