The Diocese of Carlisle has been awarded £860,000 to support its vision in Cumbria.
The national church has awarded the money to the diocese – the Church of England in Cumbria – to fund its God for All vision.
The Church Commissioners and Archbishop’s Council released the money from their Strategic Development funding.
It will be rolled out over the next three years.
The God for All ecumenical strategy was developed through a partnership of the Methodist, URC and Anglican denominations.
Its aim is that by 2020 every person in Cumbria will have had the chance to discover and learn more about God.
As part of the vision up to 40 mission communities will be created in Cumbria.
The Bishop of Carlisle, the Rt Rev James Newcome, said: "We are delighted. Understandably the process has called for us to demonstrate clearly and visibly how this money will be allocated over the next three years."
Funding will target developing leadership programmes for mission communities and local churches, supporting ministers in the transition to the new patterns of church, and funding the county’s Fresh Expressions of Church and BigReach initiative.
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