Related publications

Publications from other organisations which may be relevant to fresh expressions of church.

Through the Pilgrim Door

Michael Volland, Cook Communications, 2009
ISBN 978-1-8429139-9-4

There’s a lot of talk about 'fresh expressions' of church emerging in our culture. But what does it actually feel like to be given a blank piece of paper and told to start something from scratch? Michael Volland takes us with him through the first year of his pioneering ministry. With the full backing of one of the oldest denominations in the West (the Church of England), attached to a cathedral but given free rein, Michael steps out to discover what 'church' might mean for those who have written it off as an irrelevant institution.

Michael’s narrative skills, first enjoyed in 'God On the Beach', are back in evidence as he steers us through the obstacles, challenges, and unexpected encouragements he finds along the way. As he tells the story, Michael reflects on the need to balance innovation with a sense of history, challenging assumptions in both traditionalist and pioneering church ministries.

For those considering a new church plant or pioneering ministry – or those who are simply curious – Through the Pilgrim Door shows what can be done with a little finance and a whole lot of faith.

Buy Through the Pilgrim Door from Kingsway Shop...

Emerging & Fresh Expressions of Church
How are they authentically Church & Anglican?

Ian Mobsby, Moot Community Publishing, 2007
ISBN 978-0-9555140-0-5

This Book draws on recent research to explore the theology, sociology and spirituality behind some Emerging & Fresh Expressions of Church in the UK and US. It looks at changes in society in our postmodern high tech and consumptive culture. It explores the development of new forms of mysticism as spiritual tourism as a form of spirituality in our post-religion culture. This book is a must for all those who work or who are interested in the interface between spirituality and culture.

Buy Emerging & Fresh Expressions of Church from Moot...

The Becoming of G-d
What the Trinitarian nature of God has to with Church and a deep Spirituality for the Twenty First Century

Ian Mobsby, YTC Press & Lulu.com, 2008
ISBN 978-1409200789

Trinitarian ecclesiology is often neglected in the West. An understanding of it is crucial if the Church is to engage with its new context of spiritual tourism. This book explores a phenomenological understanding of the Trinity and its implications for building community.

Buy The Becoming of G-D from Moot...

Starting Mission-Shaped Churches

Stuart Robinson, St. Paul's Chatswood Parish Council, 2007
ISBN 978-0957983212

This highly practical, well presented workbook by Australian author Stuart Robinson is an excellent resource for those starting mission-shaped churches. It is well presented, clearly written in easy to follow format with lots of space for notes and numerous team exercises.

Buy Starting Mission-Shaped Churches from ACPI...

A Mission-shaped Church for Older People?

Michael Collyer, Claire Dalpra, Alison Johnson and James Woodward, The Church Army and The Leveson Centre, 2008

Older people – a priceless mission resource?

Older people – a significant percentage of church attenders - must be taken seriously. They are not passive receivers but people with gifts, wisdom and skills to share with others. They are our most precious resource in reaching out to older people outside our churches.

So says the introduction to A Mission-shaped Church for Older People?, which includes:

• detailed outlines for 13 training sessions your church can hold to raise awareness of the needs and value of older people;
• practical chapters on running Holiday at Home events, holding special services, and taking services in care homes;
• further chapters with facts, statistics and important challenges to our understanding of older people in this country.

Buy A Mission-shaped Church for Older People? from the Leveson Centre...

Messy Church
Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community

Lucy Moore, BRF, 2006
ISBN 978-1841015033

In her book Messy Church, Lucy Moore describes a monthly Thursday afternoon church where Mums, children, carers, grandparents can meet to enjoy craft activities, a meal and a short celebration of God’s love for us.

The book outlines the concept and theology behind such a church. Fifteen themed programmes are provided with Bible references, craft and art activities, easy to prepare recipes for the meal and family-friendly worship outlines. A complete programme for creative activities, a nutritious meal and a short celebration allow for the community to have fun, be fed and experience worship in a church context.

Buy Messy Church from BRF.

mission-shaped and rural
growing churches in the countryside

Sally Gaze, CHP, 2006
ISBN 978-0715140840

Using a compelling mix of reflection, real-life case studies and personal experience, this book unpacks the nature and how-to of mission in a rural context in both traditional and fresh expressions of church.

You can also download the notes that are referred to in this book, Guidelines for Dioceses to aid a staged process of transition to maturity and legal recognition for rural church plants, by clicking on the link at the foot of the page.

Buy mission-shaped and rural from Church House Bookshop.

Other recommended books

Martyn Percy (ed.), Louise Nelstrop (ed.), Evaluating Fresh Expressions: explorations in emerging church: Emerging Theological and Practical Models, Canterbury Press Norwich, 2008
978-1-85311-816-6

Martyn Atkins, Resourcing Renewal: Shaping Churches for the Emerging Future, Inspire, 2007
978-190595810-8

Tom Stuckey, On the Edge of Pentecost: What is the Spirit Saying to the Churches?, Inspire, 2007
978-1905958-12-2

Ian Mobsby, Emerging and Fresh Expressions of Church: How are they authentically Church & Anglican?, Moot, 2007 (see above)
978-095551400-5

Lucy Moore, Messy Church: Fresh ideas for building a Christ-centred community, Barnabas, 2006 (see above)
978-184101503-3

Susan Hope, Mission-shaped Spirituality: the transforming power of mission, CHP, 2006
978-071514080-2

Sally Gaze, Mission-shaped and Rural: growing churches in the countryside, CHP, 2006 (see above)
978-071514084-0

Margaret Withers, Mission-shaped Children: Moving towards a child-centred church, CHP, 2006
978-071514081-7

Tim Sudworth, Graham Cray, Chris Russell, Mission-shaped Youth: Rethinking young people and church, CHP, 2007
978-071514082-6

Paul Bayes, Tim Sledge, John Holbrook, Mark Rylands, Martin Seeley, Mission-shaped Parish: traditional church in a changing world, CHP, 2006
978-071514083-3

Dave Male, Church Unplugged: Remodelling Church without Losing Your Soul, Authentic, 2008
978-185078792-1

Tom Stuckey, Beyond the Box: Mission Challenges From John's Gospel, Inspire, 2005
978-185852285-2

Barbara Glasson, Mixed Up Blessings: A New Encounter with Being Church, Inspire, 2006
978-185852305-7

Nick Cuthbert, Chris Stoddard, Church on the Edge: Principles and real life stories of 21st century mission, RUN, 2006
978-186024551-0

Mike Bossingham, Building family friendly churches, Epworth, 2004
978-185852254-4

Stuart Murray Williams, Changing mission: learning from the newer churches, CTBI, 2006
978-085169305-9

Philip Knights, Changing evangelisation: themes and stories from Catholics in local mission, CTBI, 2006
978-085169348-4

Michael Moynagh, emergingchurch.intro, Monarch, 2004
978-185424664-6

Stuart Murray Williamsm, Church after Christendom, Paternoster, 2005
978-184227292-3

Steven Croft, Mark Ireland, Yvonne Richmond, Anne Richards, Nick Spencer, Rob Frost, Evangelism in a Spiritual Age: Communicating Faith in a Changing Culture (Explorations), CHP, 2005
978-071514054-3

Graham Cray, Disciples and Citizens: A Vision for Distinctive Living, IVP, 2007
978-184474157-1

Terry Tennens (ed.), Journey Into Growth: The seven core values of a Mission Church, CTBI, 2007
978-085169346-0