Church Army has announced it will close its research unit later this year, bringing to an end nearly three decades of pioneering work exploring evangelism, church growth and mission.
The Church Army Research Unit (CARU), launched in 1997 as The Sheffield Centre is known for its studies into fresh expressions of church, estate ministry, and innovative approaches to mission. Its research has influenced diocesan strategies and helped shape national conversations about how the Church reaches out in a changing culture.
The closure is part of broader cost-saving measures aimed at stabilising Church Army’s finances. Despite exploring alternatives to continue the unit’s work independently, the organisation said “no long-term, sustainable solution was found.”
Church Army CEO Matt Barlow said: “Over the past 28 years, Church Army’s Research Unit has served as a powerful, provocative and—importantly—prophetic voice in evangelism on the margins. We thank God for its lasting legacy and the many lives, churches and ministries it has impacted.”
Research team leader Dr Andy Wier also expressed his appreciation to those who have supported the work.
“We’re deeply thankful to everyone who has expressed appreciation for our work, to the organisations that partnered with us, and especially to the thousands who shared their stories and insights over the years,” he said.
The unit has produced several publications, including Encounters on the Edge, a long-running series exploring early fresh expressions of church, and The Day of Small Things, a major 2016 study which surveyed over 1,100 fresh expressions across 21 dioceses. Other work includes Playfully Serious, which assessed the missional impact of Messy Church, and Growing Leaders on Urban Estates, released in 2023.
Church Army confirmed that existing research will remain publicly available online and said it is working with partners to preserve the unit’s archive. Resources can be accessed at churcharmy.org/research.
Although the unit will no longer be taking on new projects, some team members will move into roles within other Christian research organisations, while others will remain with Church Army in different capacities. The Bede Centre for Church Planting Theology, based at Cranmer Hall in Durham, will continue to support research in partnership with Church Army.
In a statement, the charity said: “Church Army remains committed to listening, learning and adapting in order to serve communities and share the good news of Jesus effectively.”