Unsure about starting to work with other churches? Don’t worry - there are plenty of people who can help. The County Ecumenical Development Officer works full-time for Churches together in Derbyshire and Churches Together in Nottinghamshire and he is always glad to help, advise or visit local situations.

There are 6 different kinds of LEP:

1. Single Congregation Partnerships (usually either the merger of two or more different congregations or a new one planted or established by two or more denominations)
2. Congregations in Covenanted Partnerships (usually continuing to worship in their own buildings but with a strong commitment to united witness and ministry)
3. Shared Building Partnerships (having a Sharing Agreement under the 1969 Act to permit the property of one church to be also used and supported by others)
4. Chaplaincy Partnerships (e.g. to Colleges of Higher & Further Education, Prisons, or Health Care units)
5. Mission Partnerships (Industry, Commerce, Broadcasting, Social Responsibility)
6. Education Partnerships (Lay Training, Ministerial Training, Joint Schools)

Most LEPs are of the first three kinds.