Church Growth Trust is currently looking for two people to join our team. We have two full-time (or possibly part-time) roles, for committed Christians with a passion for helping evangelical churches across England and Wales.  

• Building Surveyor – (or equivalent) – To provide surveying and building construction services to our occupying churches and clients. A range of work from condition surveys to detailed specifications for building projects on church buildings.  

Anticipated start date: October 2023  

• Property Manager – Chartered Surveyor or other professional with property management experience. A “can-do” approach and pastoral heart. To help churches achieve growth through day-to-day management of our church properties, including visits to properties across the UK and helping occupying churches make the best use of their properties for Kingdom purposes.  

Anticipated start date: March 2024  

All applications to be returned by: 18 August 2023.  

Click here for more information and to download the application forms 

Significant changes to building regulations took effect on 15th June 2022.  These include new increased standards of insulation and ventilation in all building. The latest updates could be considered an ‘interim uplift’ in the energy efficiency expected in buildings, ahead of stricter rules (namely the Future Homes Standard and Future Buildings Standard) being introduced in 2025. Under the 2025 increased standards, new buildings must be capable of being ‘net zero’ in terms of operational carbon when the grid decarbonises. 

The policy changes are primarily focused on: 

• New non-domestic buildings 
• Existing non-domestic buildings  
• New and existing housing. 

Impact on current building projects 

The current changes have been applicable to building projects since 15 June 2022, except where a building notice has been given or full plans have been submitted with local Councils.  However, the new regulations will apply to all projects from 15 June 2023.  

This means that building regulation applications submitted before 15th June 2022, with building work starting after 15th June 2023, may need the building design specification updating to meet the new requirements. 

Key changes relating to churches: 

• Reduced carbon emissions – new church buildings would need to produce at least 27% less carbon emissions as compared to the previous regulations. A new metric for measuring energy efficiency called ‘primary energy’ has been introduced. This metric will measure the efficiency of the building’s heating as well as the energy required to deliver fuel to the building. 

• New minimum fabric U-Value for walls – this is now set as 0.26 W/m²K and most windows and curtain walling must achieve 1.6 W/m².K. This will apply to any new elements added to existing buildings. 
• Heating and hot water systems – new build and replacement heating systems to church buildings must have a maximum flow temperature of 55°C, and existing church buildings must improve the efficiency of heating and hot water systems through the installation of new controls. 
• Lighting– the minimum lighting efficacy in new church buildings has been raised to 80 luminaire lumens per circuit watt for display lighting and 95 for general lighting. 
• Background trickle ventilators – these have been recommended to new or replacement windows for church buildings as non-mechanical means of introducing fresh outside air into habitable rooms. 
• CO² monitors in offices – a requirement has been introduced for CO² monitors in all offices to seek to ensure internal air quality 

• Electric vehicle charge points – for new church buildings and those undergoing major renovation which will have more than 10 parking spaces after the major renovation is completed, one of those parking spaces must have access to one electric vehicle charge point. There is also a requirement for cable routes for electric vehicle charge points to be installed in a minimum of one fifth of the total number of remaining parking spaces. 

More information? 

Further information on the new Building Regulations can be found on the Government website: 

New homes to produce nearly a third less carbon – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) 

An important part of working at CGT is our annual away day. It gives the team a chance to step outside their day-to-day responsibilities and connect with each other, especially those they might not usually work or spend time with.  

This year’s annual trip took us to the beautiful city of York, built on an incredible 2000 years of history. The team enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere walking around the city streets. This included the stunning York Minster and ambling down one of York’s most famous streets – the Shambles, the famous inspiration for the Harry Potter films.  

We couldn’t leave without stopping to see Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate, the shortest street in the city. Dating back to 1505, it seems to mean “neither-one-thing-nor-the-other street”, although a plaque on the end of the parish hall suggests the meaning “what a street!”  

Fuelled by an amazing lunch, we completed our tour with a visit to St Andrew’s Evangelical Church before catching the train home. 

We give thanks to the whole team for making it such a special day.  

When a church that occupies one of Church Growth Trust’s buildings decides to close, it is our priority to find another evangelical church to occupy the building and continue the Gospel work in the locality. In some cases there are several churches that are interested in using the building and we seek God’s guidance as to which is the right church for the building at that time.  

On some occasions it can be difficult to find a church to take on the building. This might be because of its rural location, its size and/or condition. Even if it is not obvious at first who should take on the building and there are no churches showing any interest, we will always persevere with making enquiries both locally and nationally, until a suitable church Is found.  

The Lord has rewarded this perseverance on so many occasions. Recent examples are Braintree Evangelical Church, a small building, in need of some repairs and not in a central location. Although there was little interest from churches for some time, discussions with a few local Christians from different churches resulted in some catching the vision to reach the community surrounding the property. This has resulted in the building being let as a community hub and outreach centre. 

Another example is Tyndale Baptist Chapel in the village of Little Sodbury, near Chipping Sodbury. The Chapel is in the middle of a common with only a few houses around it. In the past there was a thriving church with people travelling in from around the area. However, its rural location meant that we knew it would be a challenge finding a new church to take on the building. John Duffield, CGT’s Property Manager, persevered in talking with local churches and followed up connections with other ministries in the area. This has resulted in two groups showing an interest in the building and it now being let to a ministry called The Shepherd’s Trust, which is particularly aiming to reach and minister to men and those that don’t feel comfortable in traditional church.  

We are delighted that both buildings will be used again for their Gospel purposes and that perseverance has paid off! 

As part of the transfer to Church Growth Trust (CGT) of numerous trusteeships that were previously held by the Fellowship Property Trust (FIEC’s trusteeship service), CGT took on the holding trusteeship of Grange Free Church, Rayleigh in 2022. The church had been growing older and smaller in number but had hoped to work with another local church to see growth and revitalisation. This did not work out and they have been in conversation with Giles Arnold, CGT’s Chief Executive, to see how CGT can help them.  

Giles worked with them to explore the various options available to them, including encouraging other local churches to work with them, connecting them with the Church Revitalisation Project (of which CGT is a partner), or for another church to take over the Gospel work. The church agreed to gift the property to Church Growth Trust and then subsequently made the decision to close. 

Closing a work is never an easy decision. But with Pastor John Pease now being in his eighties and the congregation having no other leadership, it was the right decision. This was made easier by the fact that Rayleigh Vineyard church already had a relationship with Grange Free Church. They had been hiring their meeting rooms for their outreach work with young parents and occasionally holding meetings in the worship area. Rayleigh Vineyard were keen to take on the use of and responsibility for the whole building and are pleased to be given a tenancy.  

Dave Smith, one of the leaders of Rayleigh Vineyard, says, “We are delighted to have the building and our own permanent base. The arrangements between us and the old fellowship has been great with John Pease helping in so many practical ways. We have also seen a significant reduction in our costs as we are now using one building compared instead of leasing and hiring multiple premises. We are grateful to Church Growth Trust for helping us in this way and for their passion for Gospel work continuing from their building around the country. We have been telling other Vineyard Churches to get in touch with them!” 

We at Church Growth Trust (CGT) are delighted to announce the details for next year’s Living the Passion conference. So put 24-27 October 2024 firmly in the diary as we welcome you to attend. 

Guest Speaker, Ed Shaw 

We are excited to welcome Ed Shaw, the pastor of Emmanuel City Centre, part of the Emmanuel Bristol family of churches. Ed serves across the Emmanuel family of churches by taking responsibility for both small group leader and staff team training.  

Location:  

The conference is being held in the Yarnfield Park Training and Conference Centre, centrally located in Stone, Staffordshire.  

Make connections that matter 

The aim of the event is to ambitiously seek to deepen spiritual life, broaden vision for church growth and church planting, energise leaders, inspire next generation leaders, and provide an opportunity to foster relationships leading to increased and fruitful collaboration. These remain at the heart of what the Living the Passion conference is all about. 

For more information  

Visit https://livingthepassion.org/  

Follow the event Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/LivingThePassion 

Back in December 2022. we shared details of a project we were working on in Wood Green, Haringey in our article ‘God works all things together for good’. Six months on, we are delighted to announce that the building project to extend the building has now been completed on time and within budget. 

Church Growth Trust (CGT) is the trustee of a property Trust that owns Alexandra Hall in Wood Green, London. Since 2005 this has been let to Grace Baptist Church.  

The project in brief 

• Demolition of old lean-to structures  
• Creation of a new multi-purpose meeting space  
• Reconfiguration of internal layout  

The project comprised the demolition of old lean-to structures to the rear of the existing building, and the addition of a new single-storey extension that created a new multi-purpose meeting space. There were also internal reconfigurations that enhanced the kitchen space, including the addition of a fully accessible WC. The facilities are positioned centrally so they can be shared by both the existing hall and the newly extended space to the rear. 

Transformation of the space and light 

The flexible nature of the new space means Grace Baptist Church can enrich and extend their mission and outreach. Ryan King pastor of Grace Baptist Church says “It is hoped that the new extension will help us serve more people and that together with other renovations, the building will be fit for purpose as we look to the future with God’s grace.”  

Barry adds “We have been delighted with CGT’s professionalism and Christian ethos. For them, it is not just bricks and mortar, but about the spiritual concern and interests of those with whom they work.” 

Coste & Beno Ltd, the building contractor for the project, has also shown commitment and dedication throughout, resulting in works of exceptional quality. They have founding directors who are both Christians and have previously worked with CGT on another church extension and renovation in North London. Their flexible approach was key to ensuring that the costs matched resources.    

We pray that the new facilities will be a true blessing to the church as they continue to grow and spread the Gospel to the people of Wood Green. 

We are delighted that the spring 2023 edition has now been sent out and should be arriving on doorsteps as we speak. Full of encouraging stories, we celebrate independent churches and the work they are doing to share the news of Jesus Christ with their communities.  

In this issue you will find:  

• Building transformations – stories of recent building projects and the positive effects they have had on the work of the churches 

• Discipleship – the third article in our series, exploring what it means to live a life truly surrendered to God 
• Networking and collaboration – an update on the changes taking place between Counties & Partnership UK  

Digital version  

If you prefer to digital copy, you can read it online here.  

Want to be added to our mailing list  

Click here to be added to the mailing list for the next issue.  

Additional copies 

Would you like additional copies to share with your members? Simply email  enquires@churchgrowth.org.uk with your name, church name and the address you would like it sent to.