A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church.
Fresh Expressions is an international movement of missionary disciples cultivating new kinds of church alongside existing congregations to more effectively engage our growing post-Christian society.
Beginning in 2004 as an initiative of the Church of England and the British Methodist Church, the movement has resulted in the birth of thousands of new communities in the UK alone and brought renewal to scores of established churches. The movement has spread to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and Germany. In 2010, the movement began taking shape in the US through the vision and generosity of the Baptist General Association of Virginia and a growing number of partners committed to a new era of missional ecumenism, a unity around the mission of God the Father through the resurrected Son in the power of the Holy Spirit.
What is a fresh expression of Church?
A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of those who are not yet part of any church.
Around the world, Christians are stepping out in faith and beginning fresh expressions of church, new or different forms of church for a changing culture.
Each fresh expression of church is unique, and designed for their particular context. They can be rural or suburban, in public spaces, housing projects and college dormitories. Some are aimed at specific groups, ranging from “Messy Church” for families with children to “Amore Groups” led by married couples. There is biker church, cowboy church, church for artists, church at or after work; the sky’s the limit. Each is an adventure in bringing the power of the Gospel to people who might never experience Christian community and the transformational and self-giving love of Jesus.
Four guiding principles tie fresh expressions together. Each one is:
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- Missional – Joining God’s mission by going to those not currently served by any church
- Contextual – Grounded in the language and culture of the people in and for their particular context
- Formational – Focused on discipling people in the way of Jesus
- Ecclesial – Forming local, tangible Christian communities that are able to step out as church in their own right
Why Fresh Expressions?
Our world is rapidly changing. It needs a church, rooted in scripture, orthodoxy and tradition; but fluent in the language and culture of the world today.
What sets Fresh Expressions apart is a focus on forming faith communities especially for those who have never been involved in church (un-churched) or who have left the church (de-churched). But this doesn’t mean giving up on the established church. There is a great inheritance in the established church that can and must be passed along to future generations. We believe the key to doing this is by partnering with pioneering leaders, dynamic pastors and existing churches denominational streams and agencies who are committed to make disciples who make disciples, raising up leaders with a passion to join with God in the mission edges where new forms of church can flourish.
Our Team
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Verlon and Melodee Fosner Directors of Dinner Church Collective & Northwest Regional CoordinatorsRead Bio