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.

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 and reach out to the Center of Congregational Excellence staff for help along the way.