Melbourne Anglican Foundation

Church Planting & Revitalisation

Church planting and revitalisation is a key priority for the Melbourne Anglican Foundation, as we support the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne’s vision of being ‘a compelling and outward-looking presence in our communities’ in order to make the word of God fully known.

 

To do so, we provide grants and loans to New Ministry Presence initiatives including planting and revitalisation initiatives. 

 

Reminder: Donations to Church Planting and Revitilisation are not tax-deductible

Church Planting

Church Planting is one of the cornerstone strategies we support to expand New Ministry Presence. We support traditional congregational models that involve establishing new Churches in under served areas. These new congregations serve as beacons of faith, providing spiritual nourishment, fellowship, and service opportunities for their members.  

 

However, we also know that evangelism can take many forms. With this in mind, we support creative and innovative steps in growing Anglican communities and offering the love and forgiveness of Christ to all. This includes supporting new worship styles, community events, and outreach programs that meet people where they are. By fostering environments where individuals can explore their faith in welcoming and non-traditional settings, we aim to expand the Anglican Diocese’s reach and impact.  

 

Sojourners Church is an example of a Church in a non-traditional setting: Chirnside Park, the grounds of the Werribee Football Club. Launched in 2019 by the Reverend Mark Tibben and the Reverend Andrew Seedhom, the Church utilises its connection with the Football Club to draw interest from young people and their families. A grant from the Melbourne Anglican Foundation in 2019 provided the foundations for this Church plant, and further funding supports the Church to continue to grow its ministry. 

“In 2022, the Melbourne Anglican Foundation’s grant had a significant impact on Sojourners Church. It allowed us to provide mid-week playgroups for the community, creating a space where young children could learn and play together. The grant enabled us to furnish the groups with educational toys, books, and interactive learning tools, and facilitated the hiring of a facilitator who not only organised engaging activities but also fostered a warm and supportive atmosphere for both children and parents alike. Importantly, playgroups become a place for parents and caregivers to connect, forging a supportive community where they could share experiences and find friendship with one another. Further, they open pathways for families to explore faith and engage with the Church. We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support, which brought lasting positive change to our community.”  

 

- Reverend Mark Tibben, Sojourners Church Werribee

Church Revitalisation

In addition to supporting the planting of new churches, we are deeply committed to revitalising existing congregations. Many churches face challenges such as declining attendance, technological adaptation and financial difficulties. Through our grants and loans, we aim to breathe new life into these ministries and support them to overcome these obstacles and thrive.  

 

By equipping church leaders and congregants with the tools and resources they need, we empower them to become vibrant and sustainable communities of faith. 

 

Gather at St Paul's was one such project that received a grant for Church Revitalisation from the Melbourne Anglican Foundation in 2023, allowing the Cathedral to better reach its local community. Reverend Amy Footson, who leads 'Gather' on Sunday evenings says: 

"We launched Gather at St Paul’s in March 2024 at 6pm on Sundays at St Paul’s Cathedral. The services aim to reach young adults and university students in Melbourne’s CBD and it’s been encouraging to see young adults coming along to the service and sign up to volunteer. 

One young adult came in the first few weeks of the church congregation launch but stopped coming for a while after that. One Sunday he returned and when I asked him why he came back he said that Gather at St Paul’s felt like family - he has been a regular attendee since.” 

Our Charitable Partnerships

We are incredibly proud and thankful for our church planting partnership with Benefact Trust UK

Church Planting & Revitalisation

New Ministry Presence is a key priority for the Melbourne Anglican Foundation, as we support the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne’s vision of being ‘a compelling and outward-looking presence in our communities’ in order to make the word of God fully known. To do so, we provide grants to New Ministry Presence initiatives including Church Planting and Church Revitalisation initiatives.  

Church Planting

Church Planting is one of the cornerstone strategies we support to expand New Ministry Presence. We support traditional congregational models that involve establishing new Churches in underserved areas. These new congregations serve as beacons of faith, providing spiritual nourishment, fellowship, and service opportunities for their members.  

 

However, we also know that evangelism can take many forms. With this in mind, we support creative and innovative steps in growing Anglican communities and offering the love and forgiveness of Christ to all. This includes supporting new worship styles, community events, and outreach programs that meet people where they are. By fostering environments where individuals can explore their faith in welcoming and non-traditional settings, we aim to expand the Anglican Diocese’s reach and impact.  

 

Sojourners Church is an example of a Church in a non-traditional setting: Chirnside Park, the grounds of the Werribee Football Club. Launched in 2019 by the Reverend Mark Tibben and the Reverend Andrew Seedhom, the Church utilises its connection with the Football Club to draw interest from young people and their families. A grant from the Melbourne Anglican Foundation in 2019 provided the foundations for this Church plant, and further funding supports the Church to continue to grow its ministry. As the Reverand Mark Tibben says: 

“In 2022, the Melbourne Anglican Foundation’s grant had a significant impact on Sojourners Church. It allowed us to provide mid-week playgroups for the community, creating a space where young children could learn and play together. The grant enabled us to furnish the groups with educational toys, books, and interactive learning tools, and facilitated the hiring of a facilitator who not only organised engaging activities but also fostered a warm and supportive atmosphere for both children and parents alike. Importantly, playgroups become a place for parents and caregivers to connect, forging a supportive community where they could share experiences and find friendship with one another. Further, they open pathways for families to explore faith and engage with the Church. We are deeply grateful for the Foundation’s support, which brought lasting positive change to our community.”  

Church Revitalisation

In addition to supporting the planting of new churches, we are deeply committed to revitalising existing congregations. Many churches face challenges such as declining attendance, technological adaptation and financial difficulties. Through our grants and loans, we aim to breathe new life into these ministries and support them to overcome these obstacles and thrive.  

 

By equipping church leaders and congregants with the tools and resources they need, we empower them to become vibrant and sustainable communities of faith. 

 

' Gather at St Paul's ' was one such project that received a grant for Church Revitalisation from the Melbourne Anglican Foundation in 2023, allowing the Cathedral to better reach its local community. Reverend Amy Footson, who leads 'Gather' on Sunday evenings says:  

"We launched Gather at St Paul’s in March 2024 at 6pm on Sundays at St Paul’s Cathedral. The services aim to reach young adults and university students in Melbourne’s CBD and it’s been encouraging to see young adults coming along to the service and sign up to volunteer. 

One young adult came in the first few weeks of the church congregation launch but stopped coming for a while after that. One Sunday he returned and when I asked him why he came back he said that Gather at St Paul’s felt like family - he has been a regular attendee since.”