Happy New Year, Friends!

I hope this message finds you well. As we step into the new year, I want to share an exciting update on church planting in our diocese. Over the nearly four years I’ve been with the Diocese, we’ve consistently celebrated church planting as a vital part of our mission. One of the most joyful moments at Synod is hearing the inspiring stories of planters at various stages of the process. Truly, we have much to celebrate.

This year, the Standing Committee and Synod embraced a significant shift in our church planting budget. Together, we committed to raising nearly two-thirds of the GCC budget through a faith offering to the Fund for Church Planting. The response to this call has been remarkable! Within days, individuals and churches alike began pledging and giving generously.

I am thrilled to report that more than $430,000 has been pledged or given so far. Your overwhelming generosity allows us to support church planting in several key ways:

• Assessment, training, coaching, and mentoring

• Back-office support

• Grants for residencies and general plant budgets

These funds will meet current commitments and provide a solid foundation for projects planned for 2026 and beyond. A quick reminder: the Church Planting Fund is a designated fund. Any gifts not used in the current year remain in the fund for future needs.

In recent conversations—whether during pre-Synod Zoom meetings or one-on-one discussions—I’ve been asked two common questions:

1. How does the Diocese decide where to plant?

2. What is the relationship between diocesan spending on planting and the direct support provided by a mother church or partner churches?

To the first question, we work closely with congregations that initiate planting efforts. Often, a congregation senses a mission burden for a nearby region—perhaps a small group in a neighborhood is ready to form the foundation of a new church, or a church planting resident on staff is prepared to build a team for a new work. In these cases, the “mother” or “incubator” church provides financial support, encouragement, and accountability for the plant.

To the second question, the diocese complements the efforts of these mother churches and planting teams. We provide assessment, training, coaching, and mentoring, as well as financial support through grants for residencies and the early years of the plant’s budget. Planting a church typically costs between $150,000 and $300,000 annually for the first three to five years. Since most launch teams cannot cover these costs on their own, planters are encouraged to:

• Seek partnerships with other diocesan churches

• Fundraise among friends, family, and other supporters

• Apply for grants from the GCC to help bridge funding gaps

Church planting is a synergistic effort—a collaboration between our diocesan congregations and the diocese itself. This partnership beautifully balances our commitment to congregationally led ministry with the shared mission to expand God’s kingdom.

So, a heartfelt thank you for your prayers, generosity, and dedication. Please continue to pray for this vital work, and I look forward to sharing new stories of church planting in the year ahead!

Every Blessing,
Tuck+