Paul’s ‘anxiety for all the churches’ (2 Cor. 11:28), established a basic framework. And their legacy, the apostolic tradition or deposit (the canon of our faith), still fulfils part of this role. It was supplemented by exchanges, letters of recommendation, conferences, gestures of solidarity and assistance. Such means are available to us, often in the form of so-called parachurch organisations and inter-church associations. Church planters will be wise if they work in close associations with existing churches and unions.
