Start a New Church

New Places for New People are intentionally formed Christian communities that seek to connect with those who have little or no existing relationship with the Christian faith or Church. They accompany people on a journey of discipleship to Jesus, shaping church together.

From our beginning, three hundred years ago, Methodists have been pioneering and planting people. John Wesley, one of Methodism’s founders, believed that the whole world is our Church. He inspired a movement of mission and ministry that goes where the people are, especially to reach those who have not felt connected to the existing Church.

To help make this a reality, the Methodist Church is investing millions of pounds over the next several years. New Places for New People may be funded in different ways: through local church and circuit resources, sometimes with the help of district or other connexional funds, while some may not need funding at all.

Methodism has long connected the pioneering and planting of new communities with a commitment to social justice and serving those on the margins, particularly people experiencing economic hardship. Church at the Margins is a core, focused stream within the Methodist Church’s commitment to start New Places for New People, with an encouragement of 60% of the Church’s total NPNP funding to be prioritised for this commitment.

Start your journey

God is calling diverse, ordinary people to begin these new communities. All churches are invited to start New Places for New People as part of their ongoing ministry and mission.

We’re here to come alongside you on this journey. We can provide resources, support and practical encouragement to help pioneers and leaders, new and existing churches, listen to the Holy Spirit and partner with what God is doing.

The pages below will take you to resources and programmes to help you and your church to pioneer. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please get in touch.