Day: 11 September 2009

Society in Britain has changed dramatically in the last 30 years, especially in terms of our understanding of community and how we relate to one another. One of the responses of the Church has been to plant new churches and create fresh expressions of church; churches that relate to our changing context.

This detailed, practical and well-researched book:

• gives an overview of recent developments in church planting;
• describes varied and exciting 'fresh expressions' of church;
• offers practical help and advice;
• looks candidly at where lessons can be learned;
• proposes a framework and methodology for good, effective church planting;
• includes recommendations to make possible the visions of a vibrant future Church.

Each chapter has a set of questions and challenges to help local parish churches engage with the issues.

With a foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, Mission-shaped Church is a crucial tool for all who care about God's mission today.

This timely, multi-faceted book by a collection of leading thinkers and practitioners provides church leaders with the resources to re-imagine church and ministry in the twenty-first century.

Looking at traditional forms of church and at fresh expressions, this wide-ranging book offers invaluable historical, psychological, sociological and theological perspectives on the parish system.

It outlines the challenges facing the Church, presents suggestions for areas for development, and sets out principles for future growth.

Edited by Steven Croft, the contributors are Graham Cray, Steven Croft, Ian Cundy, Grace Davie, Robin Gamble, George Lings, Ann Morisy, Michael Moynagh, Martyn Percy, John Rees, Sara Savage and Archbishop Rowan Williams.

Mission-shaped Questions follows a nationwide tour of England by the Fresh Expressions team, raising common but complex questions about the nature of mission in 21st century Britain.

Addressing big theological and practical issues, the various chapters reflect lectures given by a wide range of academics, professionals, priests and educators, from just about every tradition.

Mission-shaped Questions tackles questions such as:

• What exactly is church?
• What is the role of sacramental ministry in fresh expressions?
• What sort of theological and scriptural justification is there for a mixed economy Church?
• Can we develop churches that can transform culture?
• What sort of questions does a Catholic approach to the Church pose for fresh expressions?
• Can we be mission-shaped and kingdom focused too?

Edited by former Archbishops' Missioner, Steven Croft, the book will be equally attractive to both individuals and groups and particularly to those who are willing to take risks for the sake of the Church's growth.

If we are to grow and mature as a mixed economy Church, there are hard questions to be asked and answered. We need first-class thinking to back up and support all that is happening at local level. I hope this collection will get the attention it richly deserves.

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury

Contributors and chapters

1. Steven Croft: Fresh Expressions in a mixed economy Church: a perspective
2. Martyn Atkins: What is the essence of the Church?
3. Lindsay Urwin: What is the role of sacramental ministry in fresh expressions of church?
4. Tim Dakin: What is the heart of a global perspective on the Church?
5. James D G Dunn: Is there evidence for fresh expressions of church in the New Testament?
6. Graham Tomlin: Can we develop churches that can transform culture?
7. Angela Tilby: What questions does Catholic ecclesiology pose for contemporary mission and fresh expressions?
8. John Drane: What does maturity in the emerging Church look like?
9. David Wilkinson: What are the lessons from evangelism and apologetics for new communities?
10. John M Hull: Mission-shaped and kingdom focused?
11. Loveday Alexander: What patterns of church and mission are found in the Acts of the Apostles?
12. Alison Morgan: What does the gift of the Spirit mean for the shape of the Church?
13. Lynda Barley: Can fresh expressions of church make a difference?
14. Martin Warner: How does a mixed economy Church connect with contemporary spirituality?
15. Steven Croft: Mapping ecclesiology for a mixed economy

A manual for coaching and mentoring in fresh expressions.

Ever since the Mission-shaped Church report was published in 2004 there has been a movement of mission emerging right across the church. In order for this movement to continue to grow it is vital that missional leaders are identified, trained, released and supported.

In Coaching For Missional Leadership, Bob Hopkins and Freddy Hedley examine the importance of supporting leaders through coaching and mentoring, so that mission initiatives, church plants and fresh expressions of church have access to accompaniment that both provides best practice in mutual reflection and offers connection to the experience and wisdom of other leaders, as well as to the wider church.

In addition to exploring the principles behind coaching, this book is designed to be a manual for coaches to use as an ongoing resource that can help and inform their coaching and mentoring experience.

The material here has also been written to complement and follow on from the Fresh Expressions coach/mentor training course.

A book exploring fresh expressions with a contemplative or sacramental focus.

Mission-shaped Church, the groundbreaking report published in 2004 has sold over 20,000 copies and has changed the way mission is done. Fresh Expressions, which sprang into being in its wake, is now an established and growing presence in the church. 350 people are in training for pioneer ministry.

Fresh Expressions conjures up children's clubs, cafe church and innovative youth work, yet this is not the whole story. Churches from the traditional wings of the church are being equally creative and imaginative, exploring alternative ways of worshipping and being Christian communities. Their focus may be more contemplative than action-packed, but the place of encounter with God needs space and silence. Practitioners from such churches tell their stories and reflect theologically on the initiatives they are exploring.

Some of the very best names in the field have contributed to this book which will make a unique and important contribution to the understanding and practice of mission today: Rowan Williams, Brian McLaren, Steven Croft, Stephen Cottrell, Richard Giles, Phyllis Tickle, Karen Ward, Ian Mobsby and priest missioners from traditional Anglican parishes and emerging churches in the US.