In February, the Rev. Dr. Brad Swope, C4SO’s Canon for Church Planting, joined 30 other Canons for Church Planting from all around the Anglican Church in North America (ACNA) who came together to dream about planting 500 churches in the next 10 years.
The Canons for Church Planting gathering was hosted by Always Forward, the church planting initiative for the ACNA. Always Forward is a collaborative effort among the province, dioceses and local churches for the planting of new Gospel-centered, sacramental, missional churches throughout North America. Central to Always Forward’s mission is strengthening ACNA dioceses by connecting and collaborating with their Canons for Church Planting.
Archbishop Steve Wood, who attended the gathering, affirmed the goal of 500 churches in 10 years, based on the 25-30 churches the ACNA has planted per year since 2016. Brad says C4SO will participate with the provincial church planting goal by seeking to plant 25 churches in the next five years.
“It is exciting to dream with all of our dioceses about working together to see God’s kingdom come through our combined church planting efforts,” Brad says.
To equip churches to accomplish a goal like 500 churches in 10 years, significant prayer, training and resources are needed. However, Canon Molly Ruch, Director of Always Forward, says the ACNA is ready for the challenge.
“We’ve planted some great churches in the last five years that should be ready to plant again soon, if they are given a vision and a road map,” she says.
Always Forward offers a variety of training events and resources for church planters. Brad says he is committed to providing more training to C4SO planters on a diocesan level as well, including onsite visits.
“I want all of our churches to catch a vision to plant a daughter church, especially our churches with 100-200 people,” Brad says. “That is the only way we will reach our goal.”