A new form of Church has been authorised by a Bishop's Mission Order in Canterbury diocese. The Order, only the second of its kind in the country, was issued to Harvest New Anglican Church – a network of small cell groups meeting across Thanet and coming together for worship on Sundays in Broadstairs. The move is described as a 'truly historic landmark for Canterbury diocese and the Church of England as a whole'.
The Bishop of Dover, Dr Stephen Venner who signed the order with the Minister-in-Charge of Harvest New Anglican Church, Revd Canon Kerry Thorpe in front of 200 members of Canterbury Diocese's synod at their meeting on Saturday 14 November, expressed his joy that the Bishop's Mission Order allows Harvest New Anglican Church to "now take its place formally in Canterbury Diocese."
This Bishop's Mission Order is the second to be signed for a 'fresh expression' or new form of church in the country. Mission orders were only approved by General Synod last year and each one will be different, written according to the particular requirements and goals of the fresh expression of church.
After the presentation Bishop Stephen commented:
Bishop's Mission Orders enable new church congregations to take their place alongside more traditional parishes. They are very new, and so it has taken much time and detailed work to reach the point where we can celebrate our first BMO in the diocese (and only the second in the country!) Harvest New Anglican, under the leadership of Kerry Thorpe, is a thriving Christian community in Thanet. It is a real joy to welcome them into this new relationship with the Diocese of Canterbury, and to pray that God will continue to bless them and enable them to be a rich blessing to others.
Harvest New Anglican Church was founded in 1998, as a network of small groups, meeting across Thanet, and coming together on a Sunday morning for worship, initially in a Primary School, and now at Christ Church University Campus in Broadstairs. Described as a "Relational Church", Harvest New Anglican focuses on building and growing friendships with people at all levels of a spiritual journey.
With no building of its own, and no geographical parish, Harvest New Anglican Church was instrumental in setting a precedent, and helping to create the stimulus which has led to the Mission-shaped Church Report, the Fresh Expressions movement, and the need for Bishop's Mission Orders.
Minister-in-Charge at Harvest New Anglican Church Revd Canon Kerry Thorpe said:
We are absolutely delighted to be one of the earliest recipients of a Bishop’s Mission Order which recognises Harvest New Anglican Church as a place where mission is at the heart of all we do. Harvest is "Church" for people who are not sure whether they want to do ‘Church’ where we are just as keen to stimulate questions as we are in trying to provide answers.
Bishop Graham Cray, Archbishops' Missioner and leader of the Fresh Expressions team commented:
I am thrilled about the formal recognition of Harvest's place within the diocese, and the enormous impact it has made upon Thanet Deanery and the development of fresh expressions of church in that area. This is a truly historic landmark for Canterbury diocese and the Church of England as a whole.
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