Anglican Communion Launches Vision36 Initiative to Plant One Million Churches by 2036

The Anglican Communion is preparing to launch Vision36, a decade-long initiative aimed at planting or renewing one million healthy congregations worldwide by 2036.

The launch event is scheduled for November 11, 2026, in Nairobi, Kenya, during a meeting of the Anglican Communion Commission for Evangelism and Discipleship (ACCED).

Vision36 follows the "Season of Intentional Discipleship," which ran from 2016 to 2026. The new initiative encourages member churches to integrate "Safe Church" principles and community-focused mission work into their growth efforts.

The Anglican Communion spans more than 165 countries and includes approximately 85 million members. Church leaders say the initiative responds to declining attendance in some regions while also recognizing significant growth in Africa, Asia, and Latin America.

The Nairobi launch will bring together bishops, clergy, and lay leaders from across the global communion to set goals and share strategies for church planting and renewal.

Organizers say Vision36 is not a top-down mandate but an invitation for local churches to commit to measurable growth goals within their own contexts. Participating congregations will be encouraged to report progress annually.

The initiative also emphasizes training for new church planters and the development of discipleship resources suited to local cultures and languages.

Anglican leaders say the timing reflects a sense of urgency. Church attendance has dropped sharply in England, Canada, and Australia over the past two decades, while demand for pastoral care and community services has grown.