Eden

When, in 2001, Deanery Youth Missioner Derek Spencer began researching youth work among the parishes in his Horsham area deanery, he found that nothing was on.

He invited young people connected with his 20 local, largely village churches to fortnightly meetings. One was held in a village hall, the other in a grammar school, both at different ends of the deanery to make the groups widely accessible.

With an emphasis on the social aspect of the Sunday evenings, the initial twelve members grew over a year to 35 Christians and non-Christians, who were keen to attend every week regardless of distance. As a result, the two groups amalgamated.

The best youth work is done in social events when the guards come down and they are relaxed,

Derek believes.

We built in a spiritual programme, but it was relaxed, not hard-line, a platform for their questions.

Further activities included a week's camping and a weekend away in a forest cottage, events still regarded as highlights.

'The best youth work is done in social events when the guards come down and they are relaxed'

Derek had also been visiting local schools, giving lessons and assemblies. The drama hall of the largest struck him as a potential venue for a service.

I spoke to the young people who were excited about using their school for God,

he says.

A meeting was held in Derek's own home – of those he had approached from among the adults of the deanery, including some parents – to pray and plan. A pilot service in 2003 led to Eden, a monthly, Sunday evening multimedia service, often employing zones (which people could dip in and out of), and with the freedom to grab coffee or coke at any time. While generally around 100, for special events such as a visit from Matt Redman, numbers can rise dramatically as young people and interested adults come from across the diocese.

In 2004, Derek was ordained in a unique training programme, a development in his personal journey, and this has enabled Eden to hold services of Holy Communion, often using material from the Iona Community. Derek's ordination to priest was held during an Eden service at the school.

Despite Eden's diocesan-wide appeal, Derek is concerned for the youth he began with, many of whom count Eden as their church and who were uninvolved with church previously.

'I don't want it to become just another church; I want to keep original and keep pushing the boundaries'

I want to make church for them,

he says. In 2005, Eden became a fortnightly service, alternating between a service and a 'talkzone' which takes the form of a public debate between local experts, followed by discussion groups and feedback. An extra service was held on Easter Day

to show that Eden is a church.

Derek foresees the ongoing youth groups amalgamating within Eden to become weekly cells and Eden itself happening weekly. In the meantime, it already has its own bank account and support from donations.

I don't want it to become just another church,

Derek says.

I want to keep original and keep pushing the boundaries.

What began with twelve local teenagers meeting in two different spots has grown into a fortnightly Eucharistic gathering held in a school, attended by around 100 young people and adults with a vision to grow into deeper fellowship.

Fresh expressions make strategic sense: The Terminus Café

This story illustrates the principles of Fresh expressions make strategic sense in the Guide.

The Terminus CaféIn 2000, a Methodist church on an estate in Sheffield went on to the streets with a questionnaire asking their neighbours what mattered to them and what the church could do to help.

The majority of people didn't recognise that the church could play a role and were surprised at the question,

recalls Joy Adams, a Methodist minister on the Low Edges estate.

The church discovered that the most pressing local needs were litter picking, a drop-in centre for the elderly and youth activities. It also realised that any response would need to come from all the local churches and so it formed an ecumenical prayer group.

At the same time, local shopkeepers were keen to lease their premises to the churches for community ventures. Recognising an opportunity, the churches set up The Terminus Café.

From the start we worked in partnership with the different agencies on the estate,

says Joy.

We said right at the beginning we are four churches working together to open a safe place and we are motivated by God's love.

'When you are open with people, they're open with you, we've found.'

When you are open with people, they're open with you, we've found.

As part of her training, Joy had been getting to know local families struggling with drug problems. Now with the café open it became

apparent that a charity shop was very necessary on a poor estate,

so a section of the café was made available for this.

The café is self-financing and opens three days a week, plus Tuesday evenings for young people only. Its Christian remit is made clear by a monthly service, 'Worship at the Terminus' at 4.30 on a Thursday afternoon. Bible study groups happen in series of four or five at varying times and venues to suit the differing needs of local residents. About nine people attend each time, not all of them the same on each course.

Café staff open and close the day with prayer, which is visible through the window. In 2004, as a result of witnessing this, visitors began to ask for prayer. A prayer board is now situated in a discreet part of the café and one-to-one prayer is available under strict guidelines.

Joy tells of a young man with special needs who volunteers at the café and regularly attends a Bible study. Having been bullied at school he found consolation in a Christian faith, but became less active as he got older. Visits to the café reawakened his faith.

She also tells of two recovering alcoholics who have both become Christians through attending the café, but still struggle with their addictions. One of them has described the café as 'somewhere you can go no matter how bad you feel and always be accepted'.

God is always reminding us of the word 'unconditional',

says Joy.

Fresh expressions make strategic sense: Legacy XS

This story illustrates the principles of Fresh expressions make strategic sense in the Guide.

Legacy XS - rampChurch of England Legacy XS youth centre in Benfleet, Essex, grew out of a small youth group meeting in a vicarage in 2001.

These youngsters were initially friends of the vicar's kids, though they also included a few from church families,

says leader of Legacy, Pete Hillman.

Through friendships numbers grew and

chatting about Jesus developed,

says Pete. A trip to Soul Survivor saw twelve members become Christians and a youth congregation, Legacy, was started, led by around half a dozen 'leaders' who saw themselves as members of the community first and leaders second.

The group moved from the vicarage to Pete's house and again to a church hall, a 1940s army hut.

It was growing in spiritual depth and identity and we were recognising there was a limit to our impact,

recalls Pete.

So we developed a vision for a drop-in centre in Benfleet.

When, on that year's trip to Soul Survivor, there happened to be a skate park, 'the two ideas came together'.

We were very aware of the local need for such a facility which local youngsters had been calling out for for years. So after discussions with the young people in the community we decided to press ahead with plans.

'I don't skateboard, but the young people, both Christians and non-Christians, say that they notice a difference when prayer is involved'

The hunt was on for a warehouse that could hold both services and a skateboarding arena. After several months with no success, Pete went to the local authority which granted a piece of council land for a peppercorn rent.

Since this land was in the neighbouring parish to Legacy's founding church, permission was also sought from the congregation there, and given.

Now the Legacy XS youth centre hosts both the Legacy Sunday congregation and a drop-in centre for all young people in the area for both schools work and fun. A café, a computer gaming room, a pool table and other activities make the centre attractive. Sunday worship attracts a congregation of up 80 young people, some of them as a result of attending Legacy XS in the week.

And skateboarding sometimes forms part of the worship.

Pete explains:

People ride during songs, or to drumming, or they use the ramps for prayer. One example would be where one group stood at the side of the ramps holding a piece of paper with a name on it, praying silently for that person, while others held names as they rode or skated the ramps. It's using something normally done for fun as a prayer.

Pete's favourite explanation for the thinking behind this manner of worship is in the words of 1920s Olympic runner, Eric Liddell, in the film Chariots of Fire.

He said, 'When I run I feel God's pleasure',

Pete says.

It's not a gimmick, it's landing tricks for God, the one from whom all blessings flow.

I don't skateboard, but the young people, both Christians and non-Christians, say that they notice a difference when prayer is involved.

Another important difference about Legacy XS is the number of males it attracts, something Pete and his team are keen to encourage rather than balance out.

We do lots geared up for the young men,

he says.

We took some to Snowdon where we carried stones covered in names up the mountain and built a cairn near the top. Luke Cooper (19) said afterwards that he was not good at praying because he was not good with words, but he had realised that he didn't need to be because carrying the stone for three hours had been the prayer.

A highly innovative youth church was partly born at a Christian festival.

Fresh expressions respond to spiritual openings in society: Tolland

This story illustrates the principles of Fresh expressions respond to spiritual openings in society in the Guide.

Tolland - Margaret ArmstrongIn 2001, the parish of Tolland, on the Brendon Hills, Somerset, was about to lose its church. The regular congregation at its monthly service of matins consisted of the two church wardens and their wives.

Then Margaret Armstrong arrived as part-time priest-in-charge of the five-parish benefice, of which Tolland is a member. She asked the church wardens if they were ready to try something new.

They said yes and got behind it,

Margaret says.

It was a real moving of the Holy Spirit.

Now the church is open for seven services a year and is attended by over half of Tolland's population of 40.

It is now an important part of community life,

says Margaret.

Is there a city or suburban parish that has more than half its population attending church?

'Despair has turned into enthusiasm and wanting to worship'

The seven services take place for festivals, including some more novel choices such as Clypping, a medieval custom of hugging the church discovered by Margaret when she read Seasonal Worship for the Countryside (published by SPCK). A pet service is also popular. Christmas can attract up to 120 people.

While Margaret leads services, it is the congregation which readies the church for each occasion, showing a care which includes making 'busy bags' for children and providing facilities for the pets at the pet service.

Tolland - ladsThe churchyard is managed for wildlife and is known in the village, through the parish magazine and by word of mouth, as a 'quiet space'. People come from further afield to see displays of seasonal flowers such as snowdrops and orchids, and to 'be quiet, look and listen,' says Margaret.

The impact of this revival of church life has spread into the village, which now holds an open gardens day to raise money for the building. The parish's contribution to the finances of the benefice is no longer in the red and, more importantly, Margaret believes, she is noticing 'an evolving spirituality' in her one-to-one conversations.

There is a growing community life as well as a revived church life,

Margaret observes.

It started with helping them to worship God and believe in the value in doing that. Despair has turned into enthusiasm and wanting to worship.

Fresh expressions respond to spiritual openings in society: B1

This story illustrates the principles of Fresh expressions respond to spiritual openings in society in the Guide.

B1 worshipB1, a church plant begun in 2000, is a network church, serving not a particular area but appealing across Birmingham through members' personal networks.

Meetings are held three Sundays a month in a central Birmingham pub, with the fourth free to enable members to spend time with friends and family who do not go to church.

The first stage was to surf our own networks,

explains leader, Geoff Lanham, a Church of England minister. In the first two years, 150 people attended extra events held by B1. Though enjoyable, it was recognised that these did not help to build community and so they ceased.

What has continued is a bi-monthly alternative worship event, Synergy, held first in a bar and now in B1's 'Breathe' facility, a 'spiritual space' for city workers and the residents of 10,000 new city centre flats.

Geoff believes that those who attend Synergy appreciate the non-directive approach of the event and the emphasis on symbols and interaction.

'We want to give people a taste of God's presence in an urban lifestyle'

Alongside its main services, B1 offers several groups and meetings for all kinds of interests. Small scale faith discussion groups attract seekers, including people of other faiths. A modified 'Essence' course has been run in the Zen room of a local spa.

One person has become a member of a midweek small group,

says Geoff.

Others we hope will come to be users of our city centre 'Breathe' sanctuary space for spiritual reflection.

'Illumine' is a spirituality course looking at different Christian traditions, while straightforward book and film groups often give rise to the discussion of spiritual issues.

These are good at providing environments where people can explore within a genuine welcome,

says Geoff.

We want to give people a taste of God's presence in an urban lifestyle.

B1 now has 50 adult members and some children. Seven of its members were previously unchurched.

Every year there is a mini exodus and every September some input,

Geoff says.

A more important figure is those who've belonged to us along the way, which is about 130. It's the transitional nature of emerging church in a city context. We're working with people while we have them and then we hand them on to the next stage of their journey. It's a kingdom mentality.

'The cross-cultural bit is the hard bit but it's exciting'

Because of its venues, B1 has been mistakenly described as a clubbers' church. Instead, what Geoff has found is that people of all ages now form its congregations.

The venues of B1 are significant ways to meet those who would not normally encounter church.

The cross-cultural bit is the hard bit but it's exciting,

Geoff adds.

Meeting in bars, cafés and pubs drew questions from those employed there and we see that God is at work among those who staff these places.

Geoff describes the church itself has having been on a journey as members seek to grow the church through their personal relationships.

One model we find helpful is thinking about sharing faith as a dialogue,

he says.

We value friends for who they are. This is partly why we moved away from events. We are trying to see faith sharing as discerning where God already is and living in a way which causes people to ask questions.

Heyford Chapel – update Jul11

Pioneer minister Ian Biscoe looks back on developments at Heyford Chapel since its launch in 2002 and looks forward to many new opportunities at the former US air base in Heyford Park – and further afield.

Since Heyford Chapel started eight years ago, it has become self-governing and a conventional district within a group of seven Anglican churches in the Cherwell Valley benefice. A lot of what we've been thinking of as a result is sustainability.

Initially we just had an informal leadership team within another parish. Then for a while we had a joint PCC with the parish church of St Mary's, Upper Heyford, and then – probably 18 months ago now – we were recognised as a conventional district. We have our own PCC, we contribute to the parish share for the whole benefice and we also contribute towards ministry expenses. We're basically looking at the self-governing, self-financing and self-propagating model.

At first we just put in small amounts to the parish share but we have increased it each year. The plan is that we continue to step it up so we are completely paying our own way.

As of April 2010, there are 76 adults on the electoral roll and about 80 children and young people involved in the 10-12 different groups associated with the Chapel's different congregations, all of them age specific. In all, we are getting about 200 or more people going through the different groups each week.

There are also a number of new groups which are very missional. The Eve Project, for vulnerable women, meets in a community centre. It has been running since September and the woman are now beginning to meet in smaller groups to look at the Christian faith. One of our churchwardens leads the Project, and we can see it developing into a fresh expression of church.

We have also got a youth minister now and he has started a pub church for young adults. That has got a very missional emphasis about building community and modelling a positive way of life. They meet in the local pub in the village every week, and they’re currently running it as a trial with a group of nine.

Our core church now has a Sunday gathering as well as a mid week contemporary service at 8pm on a Thursday. We didn't initially meet on a Sunday for quite a few years but a number of Zimbabweans have moved into this community and it seemed culturally appropriate to respond to their requests for a Sunday meeting. Alongside all of this there are also plans to build a lot of new housing here, redeveloping the site for a further 1000 new homes.

Formal structures are now in place to relate to the established church with two churchwardens, a PCC and so on. Each of our congregations has its own leadership team and helpers, and most also have representatives on the PCC. We have set up pastoral clusters, seven small groups which have a key person or couple of people as leaders and these act as the first point of contact for pastoral care. That small group system runs alongside the different congregations.

It's very exciting to see the way that God has called people to faith here and led mature Christians to come along and help with leadership. Looking to the future, I was initially trained as a Church Army evangelist before being ordained as a pioneer minister in 2007 so the emphasis moved from evangelism to developing church and now I'm considering what the third stage is going to be.

My wife Erika and I planted the church together. Now she is exploring ministry and looking at perhaps becoming a pioneer minister herself. I have got one year left on my current contract so, as it stands, I will be leaving in July 2011 but I'm currently discussing what might be next with the bishop and the deanery.