e-xpressions January 2011 | Fresh Expressions

Welcome

Welcome to the January 2011 edition of e-xpressions. Stories and updates on our website this month include:

Visions and Transcendence - update (an update to the story of Visions and Transcendence);
alive and kicking;
B1 - update (an update to the story of B1);
Church at The Centre;
Luke's story;
Grafted;
Holy Commotion.

January's podcast includes more from Grafted, as well as an update to the story of G2 - which you can hear a longer version of in this month's podcast extra. Listen online now!

Better together - crazy apart

The task we face is the re-evangelisation of Britain. More and more Brits know less and less about the Bible, the gospel and the church. Hence the importance of initiatives like Back to Church Sunday and BibleFresh. The task is huge and the planting of fresh expressions of church will have a vital part to play, if we are to make a substantial impact. 'Come to us' mission will continue to have a substantial part to play, but 'go to them' mission is essential if we are to reach a large part of the population. Nor will it be enough to serve our communities in the hope that we will also build new relationships so that people come to church with us. We serve because it is what Christians do, rather than to achieve something else. The challenge is to plant congregations where we serve. We will need many, many, more than we have so far.

None of this is new, but what I want to emphasize at the start of the year is the necessity of acting together. Competitive, uncoordinated planting of churches and fresh expressions of church could cause as much harm as it does growth. Professor Robin Gill has argued convincingly that competitive planting between denominations was one of the factors that triggered numerical decline in the 19th century. Making our own local or denominational plans without reference to others is habitual in the Church, but very unwise.

I am not suggesting that all church plants and fresh expressions have to be planned and delivered ecumenically. Fresh expressions are best planted by local churches, as an extension of their ministry. But I am saying we should consult one another, coordinate our plans and seek to complement one another's ministry. Sometimes this will mean planting together, as a sign of the reconciling power of the gospel, or simply because together we have the resources and apart we do not. Nor am I suggesting a 'master plan'. The task needs discernment in context, not large scale strategic planning, but why can't we listen to God together, enrich one another's processes of discernment, and at very least, keep one another informed.

There are a number of ways to do this. It could become part of the rhythm of life of local Churches Together groups or minsters' fraternals. Where there is a FEAST (Fresh Expressions Area Strategy Team) a county or area could be sub-divided into smaller areas of mapping, listening and cooperation. Churches sharing in Hope Together have a natural opportunity to extend their shared ministry, of word and deed mission, with a relational and coordinated approach to planting.

The pressing question remains, 'Who will never be reached if we only do what we do now?' It is better to ask it together, but it's crazy to ask it apart.

+Graham

Graham writes regularly in the Church of England Newspaper - you can read his contributions each month on the Bishop Graham in the CEN page of our website. This month, Graham talks about Skateboards, BMX and the Gospel in Benfleet.

Changing the landscape: making the mixed economy work

We're delighted to invite you to a national day conference in Oxford on 6th May 2011 exploring how the mixed economy can thrive in deaneries, circuits and synods.

Hosted by Stephen Lindridge and Graham Cray, with a keynote address from Rowan Williams and interviews with practitioners, pioneers and those working them, the day will also include plenty of round table discussion and the latest Fresh Expressions learning, thinking and resources. 24-7 Prayer will surround the day with a reflective prayer environment and lunch and refreshments will be provided.

The day is for Christians of all denominations and streams - or none - for pioneers and practitioners, missioners, area deans, circuit superintendents, synod members and anybody else with an interest in fresh expressions or mission-shaped thinking.

You can find out more and book tickets online now.

Resources

New out is the second book in the Ancient Faith Future Mission series. Ancient Faith, Future Mission: new monasticism as fresh expression of church explores the explosion of interest in monastic spirituality resulting in the emergence of new monastic communities inspired by historic patterns of religious life, but reframed for the contemporary world.

The book contains contributions from Tom Sine (Mustard Seed), Shane Claiborne (Simple Way), Andy Freeman (24-7), Ray Simpson (Aidan and Hilda), Ian Adams (CMS small missional communities), Ian Mobsby (Moot), Tessa Holland (Contemplative Fire), Diane Kershaw (Order of Mission), Philip Roderick (Contemplative Fire), Pete Askew (Northumbria Community), Mark Berry (Safe Space), Graham Cray (Archbishops Missioner) and Abbot Stuart (Mucknell Abbey).

You can order your copy now - and if you are interested in attending one of the launch events in London or Manchester, register online for your free places now.

FEASTs The importance of fresh expressions relating to the wider church is stressed on the Share page The OF dimension of church. The 'OF dimension' means being part of the whole body of Christ, round the world and in history. The page also raises the question: 'What would it mean for a denomination to be a blessing to fresh expressions?'.

Other dimensions of church include 'UP', 'IN' and 'OUT' and pages about these are linked to from Are fresh expressions proper church?. Does the church you are involved with tick all four boxes of 'UP', 'IN', 'OUT' and 'OF'?

FEASTS (Fresh Expressions Area Strategy Teams) are one way of connecting with other denominations in a given area. Find out more about them on the FEASTs page on Share, with links to other pages on how to start a FEAST or join one that already exists.

Training, jobs and events

This is the course I have been crying out for, for a number of years! It is relevant, contemporary, engaging, topical and achieves the balance of combining biblically rooted teaching with culturally sensitivity awareness.

Sign up now for mission shaped ministry in Norfolk, Knaresborough, Greater Manchester and Rossendale, Walthamstow and Merseyside - book online now.

You can find other events, training opportunities and jobs on our training and events and jobs pages. If you know of more, please let us know on resources@freshexpressions.org.uk.

And finally

Do you listen to our podcast? We'd love to know your thoughts on it at resources@freshexpressions.org.uk.

Have a good month,

The Fresh Expressions team.