About New Church Development
Who We Are
The North Texas Conference is a geographic area populated by 4,454,263 people, spread over 15,982 square miles, served by 310 United Methodist churches and fellowships. Between 1990 and 2008 the population grew by 1,441,394 persons. This represents a 47.8% increase! Yet the membership of the churches of the conference grew only 6.5%, while our average worship attendance increased 17.3%.
North Texas continues to be one of the fastest-growing areas in the United States in terms of population, the presence of younger persons, and the increase in diversity. The population of the area of the North Texas Conference is projected to grow by 1,169,401 persons or 26.3% to 5,623,664 by 2019. The number of persons under 35 years of age is projected to increase by 275,770 persons or 11.4%. The African American, Asian and Hispanic/Latino population is projected to grow by 849,662 persons or 39.4% to 3,008,361, which will be 53.5% of the total population in the North Texas Conference by 2019. Clearly, the mission field of North Texas is "ripe for a harvest!"
THE VISION OF NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
To create a culture of 'churches planting churches' and plant new communities of faith where God's transforming grace in Jesus Christ offers a new life of Christian discipleship to the world.
THE MISSION OF NEW CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
The mission of the Center for New Church Development is:
- To facilitate the establishment of new communities of faith in the North Texas Conference to meet the needs of our growing and changing population.
- To identify and train potential planters for new communities of faith.
- To identify and train potential mother churches to create a culture of churches starting churches.
- To coordinate conference resources for the establishment of new congregations and communities of faith.
- To assist the District Superintendents in their work of starting new churches and faith communities.
