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For some considerable years, churches without a minister and with limited financial resources have been able to apply for a 'Home Mission Grant'. This is still the case today - however the terminology we now use is slightly different.
All the various grants made by BUGB Home Mission now come under the umbrella title of 'Mission Grants'. What we once referred to as 'Home Mission Grants' (which enabled a church to financially support a minister) are now entitled 'Mission through Ministry Grants'. The reason for the change of name is pretty obvious - the point of the grant is to enable mission to take place by enabling a church to call and (financially) support a minister.
If your church is considering applying for a 'Mission through Ministry Grant' (previously referred to as a 'Home Mission Grant') the following steps should guide you through the process...
Step One
Log on to the BUGB website - www.baptist.org.uk/bugbmissiongrants.
This page will give you details of the forms you will require to pursue your application. (These are guidance forms GD3, GD4. By 'clicking' on the words "click here" on the fourth paragraph on the page you will be directed to another page where you can access the application forms GD1A and GD1B (in both Word and Excel formats).
You can download these forms as you choose.
Step Two
Contact Nigel Dean who administrates the WEBA grants process. Nigel will give you any administrative advice you require. Nigel can be contacted at nandcdean@madasafish.com and 01934 627485. Please note that you would normally apply for a grant about 12 months before you require it. However, in an 'unusual' situation a little flexibility might be possible regarding this.
Step Three
In WEBA we ask the churches who are applying for a 'Mission through Ministry Grant' to commit to the 'Fit 4 Purpose?' process (or Partnership for Missional Church). Either of these resources will help your church to understand how you can begin to engage more effectively in mission within your local community. Your participation in one of these may take place before you apply for a grant or even once the grant has been awarded.
To find out more about this please contact Alisdair Longwill (Regional Minister for the Development of Churches, WEBA).