History
In 1993 some in the Methodist Church in NZ could see that the Church was at the edge of a major transformation. Traditional models of parish and ministry were losing ground, and a great cultural shift was
taking place. The Methodist PAC Trust set aside a significant amount of money to establish up a Futures Task Group to explore options for the future of church.
This group funded various pieces of work, including some research into new faith communities by marg gilling, which resulted in the publication of the book Where do we find our Meaning. The Women’s Resource Centre in
Auckland was also involved in supporting the development of new faith communities, especially amongst women, but increasingly other more diverse groups.
In 2001 the Futures Group decided to give the Women’s Resource Centre in Auckland, a grant for five years to fund some intentional networking amongst emerging faith communities.
futurechurch is the result of these two streams coming together.
Rosemary Neave, futurechurch networker 2001-2005
Rosemary was employed by the WRC as the futurechurch networker 2 days a week, and worked out of her home in Waipu North of Auckland, where she and her partner run a women's guest house - Waihoihoi Lodge.
The WRC received funding from the Methodist Church was for five years. However when the WRC
decided in late 2004 to wind up, the Project was unable to secure funding support from the Methodist to continue the project independent of the WRC.
So the website and a few resources were handed over to Steve Taylor to build on.
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I
had worked In the Anglican Church for many years as a lay worker,
but 15 years ago left St Pauls Symonds St in Auckland, feeling that
there must be a better way of being church. I was a part of the
development and life Auckland faith community Spiral and in 1996
did some study leave overseas looking at emerging ways of being
church. I am excited by what I see emerging as futurechurch, and
believe that networking - connecting groups and people with each
other and information is a critical part of encouraging this movement. 
I enjoyed the time as futurechurch networker and was continually inspired by those who were doing and being church - not waiting for permission from others to live their dreams.