Fresh Expressions
www.freshexpressions.org.uk
A new initiative for changing times
Our world is changing. At least 60% of the UK population is now
beyond the reach of the churches. This proportion grows each
year.
The Church of England and the Methodist Church want to establish
many different fresh expressions of church life in the next decade
to carry the gospel to every part of our society.
Fresh Expressions is a national initiative of the
Archbishops of Canterbury and York supported by the Methodist
Council. Our aim is to resource and encourage this major movement
of mission and change across the churches.
What are fresh expressions?
The 2004 report 'Mission-Shaped Church' described a growing
movement of 12 kinds of fresh expression
When Jesus saw the crowds he had compassion for
them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd....
...Then he said to his disciples: "The
harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few...
...therefore ask the Lord of the harvest
to send out labourers into his harvest field"
Matt: 9.36-38 |
- Alternative worship communities
- Base Ecumenical Communities
- Café church
- Cell church
- Churches arising out of community initiatives
- Multiple and midweek congregations
- Network focussed churches
- School-based and school linked congregations and churches
- Seeker church
- Traditional church plants
- Traditional forms of church inspiring new interest
- Youth congregations
To these we can add:
- Fresh expressions focused on children
- Fresh expressions focused on under 5's and their families
- Other new developments
There is already a significant movement of mission
alongside and supported by parishes and circuits.
How will Fresh Expressions help?
 |
Renewing Vision
Helping the whole church to catch and live this fresh vision for
mission through stories, publications and advocacy.
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Gathering News
...on what is happening where, what is working and what is not,
where to find help and support through research and through the
website www.freshexpressions.org.uk
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Supporting Growth
...by developing a national network of skilled coaches or
accompaniers for fresh expressions of church life.
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Developing Training
...for pioneering lay and ordained ministries and made available
in every region through the new Regional Training Partnerships |
Contact Fresh Expressions
The Methodist contact for Fresh Expressions is Stephen
Lindridge
E-mail: stephen.lindridge@freshexpressions.org.uk
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