One of our archdeacons said that: ”˜An empty church is like the empty palace of a long-forgotten king and people walk past and say, “The king is dead.”’ That’s why when, for example, St Peter’s, Brighton, which was known as the unofficial cathedral of Brighton, was going to close, we said: ”˜Please don’t close it. Please allow us to go there.’ And thankfully the Bishop of Chichester invited us to send a team there.
What is it that allows these church plants to fly?
I think a lot of people are unchurched, but there are also a lot of people who are ”˜de-churched’. They’ve got a faith of some kind, but they’re looking for a church where they feel at home…There are quite a few people who like to have a relaxed, informal style. They like contemporary worship, a message that hopefully is practical for their life, and somewhere they can receive prayer and community. And it seems that those people are coming back to church.
HTB is also planting churches in America. I’m thinking of Jamie Haith and Holy Trinity Church in McLean, Virginia.
http://www.htc.us/#new-page-3
And of course HTB partners with many American churches with regards to assistance and support of the Alpha program, including my church.
There is more to the story. The congregation was originally planted by Derek and Cathy Rust who were associates at Truro, with a core group from Truro and other churches. After The Rusts could no longer continue to lead due to health reasons, the Haith’s came over. HTC has flourished under the Haith’s leadership.
HTB does not start Anglican churches without approval of the local Bishop. So HTC is an independent church, under neither the local Anglican or Episcopal Bishop.
#2 Tory+
Can you please explain the ecclesiological principles underlying an Anglican parish or parishes planting an independent church under neither the local Anglican nor Episcopal Bishop?