In recent years, hundreds of new churches have been formed. These fresh expressions of church are aiming to create church among people who have never belonged to a church, or who once did, but belong no more.
Share booklets combine spiritual insight with practical knowledge to offer guidance in starting and sustaining a fresh expression of church.
Starting and sustaining a fresh expression of church explores the basics of growing a fresh expression of church. Explore how fresh expressions of church emerge, how and what to start, getting support and funding, finding the way, sustainability and building a team.
This booklet includes Share booklets 01-08, all of which are available separately:
- How can fresh expressions emerge? (Share booklet 01)
How can fresh expressions emerge? What sort of journeys do fresh expressions follow?
- How should we start? (Share booklet 02)
How should we start? is all about a process we call 'exploring'. It's about discovery. What is God doing? What might he be calling you to do? Who can you work with?
- What should we start? (Share booklet 03)
What should we start? is about discernment – finding out what God is calling you to do by discovering prayerfully what opportunities exist and what resources are available.
- How can we get support? (Share booklet 04)
How can we get support? is about how to check out your ideas and plans with the people whose backing the venture needs. Fresh expressions of church never begin in isolation. They always need support from outside.
- How can we find our way? (Share booklet 05)
How can we find our way? is about envisaging the journey ahead by making sense of the route already travelled.
- How can we be sustainable? (Share booklet 06)
How can we be sustainable? is about considering sustainability in the very early stages of a fresh expression of church, not when the venture is well underway.
- How can we be a great team? (Share booklet 07)
How can we be a great team? is about the vital importance of attending to the team (or missional community) throughout a fresh expression's life.
- How can we finance a fresh expression? (Share booklet 08)
How can we finance a fresh expression? is about how to put down strong financial roots to allow for both start-up costs and long-term sustainability, helping you to weather the storms of economic instability.