A centre set up ten years ago to plant churches across Church of England dioceses is being downsized and a ‘significant number’ of staff are being made redundant because of a funding gap.

Cash-flow projections have shown that the Gregory Centre for Church Multiplication (CCX) will not be able to continue beyond the end of June under the current model.

Former Bishop of Willesden, Rt Rev Pete Broadben, who is chair of trustees, said the funding shortfall came about because overseas partners decided to redirect their financial contributions to growing churches in their own countries.

CCX will continue to operate to achieve the CofE’s goal of establishing thousands more lay-led worshipping communities by the end of the decade.

In a statement, CCX said: “As demand has grown in tandem with financial challenges, we have pivoted to a new operating model, under the existing charity. We are shifting from direct delivery to a lean, agile train-the-trainer model. This change will multiply CCX’s reach by equipping local leaders to deliver our content in their own contexts.

“Our mission — to plant, grow, pioneer and serve on estates — remains at the heart of this shift. There is a new chapter ahead for Myriad, as our lay-led planting initiative will become an independent charity, multiplying its impact while continuing to collaborate with CCX. . . This pivot is a bold, necessary move — not to scale back, but to multiply mission in a time that demands creativity, stewardship and faith.”

Bishop Pete said: “We are thankful to God for the chance to carry on this work — so much of the Christian life is death and resurrection, and nothing about the Kingdom of God is ever pain-free.”

CCX was set up in 2015 by the Bishop of Islington, Rt Rev Dr Ric Thorpe, who has now been announced as the next Archbishop of Melbourne in the Anglican Church of Australia.