Fresh Expressions

ResourcesFresh Expressions is a movement cultivating new kinds of church alongside existing congregations to more effectively engage people who are not yet Christian or part of a church. Beginning in 2004 as an initiative of the Church of England and the British Methodist Church, Fresh Expressions has resulted in thousands of new faith communities and brought renewal to scores of established churches. 

WHAT IS A FRESH EXPRESSION?

A fresh expression is a new form of church for those not connected to any church. They take shape outside of the walls of the church in places where our neighbors are already gathering. Fresh expressions in the North Georgia Conference are making new disciples and are passing on the traditions of our Wesleyan faith in new and creative ways. Fresh expressions are anchored to existing churches, connecting churches with people who would never enter the church building on a Sunday morning. They do not exist to get people to come to our church, but rather to form new faith communities in places where people are already gathering.

 

WHY FRESH EXPRESSIONS?

  • We are living through a dramatic shift in the American church where 60% of America’s population is increasingly alienated from traditional forms of church.[1]
  • A majority of people who do not attend church believe in God, but for a variety of reasons will not visit a traditional church setting.
  • Fresh Expressions offers the experience of belonging to a church community in ways that rethink what it is to be a church.
  • Fresh Expressions empowers conventional churches to connect with their neighbors in new ways.
  • A Fresh Expression is a cost effective way to launch new faith communities.
  • Lay persons of the church can launch and lead fresh expressions.

 

Start with the resources below and reach out to the Center of Congregational Excellence staff for help along the way. 

 

How can you start a Fresh Expression?

It's easy - just follow these ABC's of starting a Fresh Expression of Church! and contact one of the Fresh Expressions Team members. 

ASK another Christian - prayerfully find someone to do it with.

BEGIN with what you've got - who you are, what you know, who you know and what you have: what are your passions/interests?; what do you posses - a home to meet in, a car to transport people

CHAT with others - to God directly in prayer, to those you are seeking to serve.

DREAM up lots of possibilities. Keep asking "what if . . ." 

EXPERIMENT like mad! Try something to see if it works!

FOLLOW the Fresh Expressions Journey: Listening, Loving & Serving, Building Community, Exploring Discipleship, Church taking shape, Doing it again . . .

GOD'S role is vital! So .. . pray as you follow the ABC's.

 

Fresh Expressions in North Georgia

Upcoming Events

(Click on a date to register)

     Dinner Church Encounters

     Vision Days

     Pioneer Learning Community

  • April 26-27 & October 35-26
     

Resources

Fresh Expressions Grant Application 
     Fresh Expressions Grant Application (Word doc)

Fresh Expressions District Reps: ​
     Click here to see a list of the team members

Websites 

Books

Video

 

Center for Congregational Excellence