Updates About Leadership Changes at
The Forge Community Church
A message from Steve.
On 1st November 2026 Steve Fenning shared an public update about his future and upcoming leadership changes at The Forge Community Church.
The stream is available to watch below.
A proposed Timeline of Key Dates for These Leadership Changes
Now – spring/early summer 2027:
Communicating and identifying candidates
Spring/early Summer 2027:
Getting to know candidates and making an appointment
Target:
Appoint a new senior leader between April and June 2027.
Transfer of responsibilities and hand over.
The new senior leader would initially work alongside Steve for approximately 6–12 months.
FAQs
We know you may have questions about this change, and we’ve answered some of the most common ones below. If you’d like to talk things through or simply have a coffee and a conversation, we’d love to hear from you. Please get in touch at future@forgechurch.com.
Is Steve leaving now?
No, Steve is not leaving now, we are beginning the process to replace Steve which we anticipate will take around 12-18 months.
Will Steve still be a part of The Forge?
Yes, during the transition, Steve will continue leading and will support the new Senior Leader as they settle into the role. Following the formal handover, Steve plans to take six months away from The Forge to give the new leader space to establish themselves. After that, he hopes to return and serve the church in whatever way is most helpful.
Has the next Senior Leader already been chosen?
No. The process is just beginning, and both internal and external candidates will be considered. The aim is to appoint a new Senior Leader in the first half of 2027.
Some of the candidates will be involved on a Sunday, as part of the process and we would love to hear from you, please use future@forgechurch.com.
Will these changes impact the mission of our church?
The mission and vision of The Forge Will remain unchanged. We will help people find and follow Jesus by being a church community that un-churched people love to be a part of.
Why is this happening?
This is a positive, planned transition, focused on the future of The Forge. Steve believes a new leader can bring fresh vision, new ideas and a different approach to help the church continue to grow and reach more people. He remains passionate about The Forge and its mission.
How long will the process take?
The aim is to appoint a new Senior Leader in 2027. They would then work alongside Steve for around 6–12 months, with the handover expected during the first half of 2028. The exact timing will depend on how the transition develops.
Who makes the final decision?
The elders of The Forge will lead the process and discern who is best suited to lead the church into its next season. They will take time to consider candidates carefully, prayerfully and together.
The Elders
The Elders provide general oversight and ultimate spiritual authority at The Forge. They are responsible for leading the process of finding our next Senior Leader, prayerfully discerning who is best placed to lead the church into its next season.
If you have any questions, concerns or would simply like to talk about the process, please get in touch with the Elders at future@forgechurch.com. They’d be happy to hear from you.
A Message From Steve Urwin – Chair of Elders
On behalf of the Elders, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Steve for his faithful leadership of The Forge over the past 34 years. His passion for Jesus, his vision for the local church, his love for people and his commitment to helping people find and follow Jesus have shaped the church we are today. We are hugely thankful for his leadership, vision and all he has given and achieved, along with his continued heart for the future of The Forge.
While we recognise that any change like this brings a mix of emotions, however we are genuinely excited about the next season. We believe God has much more in store for The Forge, and we look forward to prayerfully discerning who will lead us into that future.