About GtRC Project

What we do

Growing the Rural Church works to resource rural Mission Communities to creatively use their talents and buildings, and to connect with their unique communities and landscapes to develop sustainable futures.

Our resources are available to guide you through making courageous decisions for the future, and offer detailed step-by-step advice on putting those changes into action.  Our Mission initiatives around particular areas of interest offer the opportunity to get involved with other churches, supporting and learning from each other.

Bishop Robert introduces our new approach

‘Hold fast to the head which is Christ, from whom the whole body, nourished and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows with a growth that is from God’ (Colossians 2.19).

The full text of Bishop Robert’s introduction can be downloaded here.

Lord of the Church,
faithful and unchanging,
you never fail those who trust in you:
open our hearts to the riches of your grace
and our minds to new horizons,
that serving our communities with joy
we may be living signs of your kingdom
and rejoice to be disciples of your Son, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Who we are

The Diocese of Exeter’s vision for growth includes the Growing the Rural Church Project.  The Project runs for seven years (2017-2023) and is backed by a £1 million grant from the Church Commissioners Strategic Development Fund with additional funding from our Diocesan Synod.