Old and New and Future Church +Graham Cray Fresh Expressions1

'Many churches continue to serve significant sections of society. Yet the question presses: whom are these churches not serving?’ Mike Moynagh Fresh Expressions3

The challenge to the churches Who will never be reached if you only do what you do now? Fresh Expressions3

The challenge to the churches Who will never be reached if you only do what you do now? Do we have a spiritual responsibility to those with no knowledge of the faith? Fresh Expressions4

Paying our debts ‘I am a debtor both to Greeks and to barbarians, both to the wise and to the foolish — hence my eagerness to proclaim the gospel to you also who are in Rome. For I am not ashamed of the gospel; it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith.’ Romans 1:14-16 Theology Point 1.5

The challenge to the churches Who will never be reached if you only do what you do now? Do we have a spiritual responsibility to those with no knowledge of the faith? Hence the ‘mixed economy’ Fresh Expressions6

The parish system ‘It is clear to us that the parochial system remains an essential and central part of the national Church’s strategy to deliver incarnational mission. But the existing parochial system alone is no longer able fully to deliver its underlying mission purpose.’ Mission-Shaped Church

Community church? ‘A church in every community in the land” is an empty boast if it boils down to there being a church in a given geographical area, without any reference to accessibility or culture.’ Michael Nazir-Ali

Mixed economy

‘We may discern signs of hope. These may be found particularly in the development of a mixed economy of Church life... there are ways of being church alongside the inherited parochial pattern.’ Archbishop Rowan Williams

God’s economy Eph. 2:9 he has made known to us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure that he set forth in Christ, 10 as a plan for the fullness of time, to gather up all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. Lit ‘as an economy for the fullness of time’ God’s great plan, his economy. Fresh Expressions11

Celebrating and building on what is mission-shaped in traditional forms of church… …and finding new, flexible, appropriate ways to proclaim the Gospel afresh to those who do not relate to traditional ways The mixed economy

Fresh Expressions2 Wolverhampton Pioneer Ministries

Interplay ‘The constant interplay between the steady, faithful, ongoing, apostolic life of the church and the edgy and exploratory and new life that we see in some fresh expressions is a vital part of the health and wellbeing of the Christian church.’ ++Rowan Williams

THE CHALLENGE TO THE DIOCESES ‘It is for dioceses to think creatively about how to connect the old and the new, to encourage traditional parishes to share prayer and energy with new initiatives in church life,

THE CHALLENGE TO THE DIOCESES and above all to help break down the perennial suspicion between the historic mainstream and the risk- taking innovators. The historic mainstream, after all, had its origins in risk-taking innovators.’ Rowan Williams

Three approaches Fresh Expressions17

come attractional method 18

engaged method go and then come 19

go and then stay emerging method 20

Culture change

Church from the valley… baptism education marriage festivals Sunday sickness crisis bereavement death The mission task: From door, to font, to altar, and out to serve in the world 11 A02 mission context and the mixed economy22

Fishing in a shrinking pool?

Fresh Expressions ‘More of the same just means less of the same.’ Archbishop of Adelaide Geoffrey Driver 24

…to the side of a hill A few still drawn to church doors by the culture The mission task: Go to where people are and make disciples there But current culture draws many away from, not towards church. 11 A02 mission context and the mixed economy25 Fresh expression of church

Mixed economy26

One size does not fit all! Michael Herbst Insti tut zur Erfo rsch ung von Evan gelis atio n und Gem eind eent wick lung 22

Fresh Expressions28

Is this niche church?

freshexpressions.org.uk Tubestation

freshexpressions.org.uk tubestation

Fresh Expressions27

Is this niche church? Widening the scope of effective mission Mainly new congregations not independent churches Starting points not final destinations

'Ignite' Cliftonville

Theological challenges Fresh Expressions35

Unity and diversity ‘The church must be diverse because humanity is diverse; it must be one because Christ is one. Christ is human, and open to humanity in all its diversity; the fullness of his humanity takes in all its diverse cultural forms.’ Andrew Walls

Unity and Diversity ‘Each local congregation must be knit by bonds of mutual recognition and mutual responsibility with the Church in all places and all ages.’ Lesslie Newbigin Fresh Expressions37

Unity and Diversity ‘These bonds must not be so interpreted that the life-style of another place or time is imposed upon the local congregation as a condition of recognition.’ Lesslie Newbigin Fresh Expressions38

Contextual Church ‘The character of the local church will not be determined primarily by the character, tastes, dispositions, etc., of its members, but by those of the secular society in which and for which it lives - seen in the light of God‘s redemptive purpose revealed in Jesus Christ for all.’ Lesslie Newbigin Fresh Expressions39

The challenge to the churches Who will never be reached if you only do what you do now? Fresh Expressions40

Questions Who will never be reached if you only do what you do now? How can you get permission to plant a fresh expression from a more traditional congregation? How do you ensure that traditional congregations remain contextual? Fresh Expressions41

Old and New and Future Church +Graham Cray Fresh Expressions42