Is there any biblical basis for fresh expressions of church?

Yes – lots, but you can see the pattern most clearly in the Acts of the Apostles. The church takes many different forms as it moves from culture to culture in the ancient world. In Acts 11, one kind of community forms as the persecuted Christians preach only to Jews. However when others begin to preach to Gentiles as well and they come to faith there is a new group with its own culture and traditions. Turn to the early chapters of Galatians and you discover that there were real tensions between these different cultural communities.

In Philippi, where there is no synagogue, the Gospel takes root in a community gathered in the house of the first convert, Lydia. In Ephesus, the Gospel is preached first to the synagogue community but after that in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. Many different groups emerge with their own cultural traditions as the Gospel crosses boundaries.

The New Testament letters were largely written to help these new communities address real issues of diversity and unity: try looking at 1 Corinthians as a text written to people who were guiding fresh expressions of church in a pagan and very different context – that was its original purpose.

Is there a difference between fresh expressions and church plants?

The Mission-shaped Church report coined the term 'fresh expressions of church.' In pages 29 to 33 it explained the relationship between church planting and fresh expressions of church. Planting is the missionary process which, if carried out in an appropriate contextual way in our varied cultures, should result in fresh expressions of church. Church planting is the verb and the noun, fresh expressions, are the outcome.

However, the report makes two qualifications to this organic link between the two.

First, some existing churches may engage in mission to a new culture and in so doing change to become a fresh expression. It involves a process of transitioning rather than planting and there is no multiplication of a second church. An example would be an existing congregation becoming cell-based.

Secondly, the report recognised that the noun church plant was used throughout the 80's and 90's and was sometimes applied to the reproduction of a form of church not dissimilar from inherited churches. The authors termed these 'traditional church plants' and made this one category among many fresh expressions. The report concluded that:

both planting and fresh expressions of church can arise out of similar motivation and experiences and both can overlap in what they seek to achieve… they are different but connected realities. (page 34)

Is the opposite of a fresh expression a stale expression of church?

No. At the other end of the spectrum from fresh expressions is 'inherited church'. Inherited churches are what exist already. Fresh expressions are new or different forms of church that connect with people who are not reached by inherited churches.

There is still plenty of life in traditional or inherited forms of church. Traditional does not necessarily equal stale. Many inherited churches are full of vitality and growing. Our aim is not to grow fresh expressions instead of inherited churches but alongside them: a mixed economy.

The Jerusalem church in Acts was a bit like inherited church. It had a traditional mindset and emerged from a 'you come to us' context: Jews from the known world had come to Jerusalem at Pentecost. The Antioch church was more like a fresh expression. It launched 'we'll come to you' mission and had a more radical approach to theology and church practice.

But despite tensions between them, they were interdependent. Paul, who headed up the missionary work launched from Antioch, felt himself to be accountable to the leaders at Jerusalem. The Jerusalem church had the spiritual maturity to recognise the Holy Spirit at work. Here is a splendid example of the mixed economy church.

Is it right or biblical to form congregations made up of the same kind of people?

This is a question in many people's mind and is sometimes referred to as the 'Homogenous Unit Principle', that is churches made up of all the same kind of people. Some people have argued that in the church we should be fully mixed and varied because, 'There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female' (Galatians 3.28), and that when we are in heaven there will be no divisions. Every tribe tongue and nation will be united around the throne (Revelation 5.9-13, 7.9 & 15.4).

However, this misses the point. Culture doesn't exist unless it's socially expressed. So every tribe and tongue will be present and preserved in its cultural identity (homogenous) whilst also being perfectly at one with each other (heterogeneous).

So we believe it is biblical to have both homogenous congregations (made up of similar kinds of people) and heterogeneous congregations (made up of differing kinds of people) in the same church. Homogenous congregations are not new of course. Sadly, many churches are already made up of one age group, race and social class (white, largely female, over 55) which can make everyone else feel shut out. Think of the average congregation at an 8am communion service!

Sometimes we need to start again for new sections of the community. However, every fresh expression of church needs to be linked into the wider body of Christ in a whole range of ways. No local church can ever be complete by itself. When we have the links, we have unity and also diversity.

Is all of this just for the evangelicals?

Not at all. There are now fresh expressions of church in every tradition. Have a look at our DVD on fresh expressions in the sacramental and contemplative tradition.

DVD: Sanctus: fresh expressions of church in the sacramental tradition

If, as we believe, the whole church in this country is being called and drawn into relevant mission in their local communities, then all sorts of fresh expressions of those churches will develop. Each tradition will have gifts and experience to offer the common whole. Social action, contemplation, meditation, sacramental, biblical, Spirit-empowered and Spirit-led mission is a multi-faceted move of God.

How will we hold together the old and new in one church?

It's vital to build strong bonds of connection and to work out how a fresh expression will belong. Sometimes that 'belonging' is to a local church. Sometimes it is to a circuit or deanery, occasionally to a diocese or district or a stream.

The belonging is worked out in structures for ministry and governance; in fellowship; in different kinds of partnerships of support and in mutual giving and receiving.

How do you define a fresh expression of church?

The precise definition of a fresh expression of church has evolved over time. The term was coined by the Mission-shaped Church report. It was taken from the promise made by Anglican clergy every time they take up a new post: 'to proclaim the Gospel afresh in each generation'.

Fresh expressions:

  • serve those outside church (they are missional);
  • listen to people and enter their culture (they are contextual);
  • make discipleship a priority (they are formational);
  • form church (they are ecclesial).

More formally, currently we think this is the most helpful definition:


A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church;

  • It will come into being through principles of listening, service, incarnational mission and making disciples.
  • It will have the potential to become a mature expression of church shaped by the Gospel and the enduring marks of the church and for its cultural context.

The important things to notice are that fresh expressions have an emphasis on mission, that they are culturally appropriate, that they come into being only after a time of listening to the local community and that one day, as disciples are made, they will become a mature expression of church.

How do fresh expressions relate to the rest of the church?

By celebrating diversity as a gift not seeing it as a threat. As Britain becomes ever more multi-cultural and multi-ethnic more diversity is needed if we are to be truly effective.

Theologically by knowing themselves to be part of the one body of Christ. In these days of many different denominations and expressions of church we may need an understanding of 1 Corinthians 12 that sees the members of the body in congregational as well as individual terms.

Creative thought and prayer needs to be given to ways in which individual churches (established and fresh) can visibly demonstrate their oneness in Christ, particularly in local areas.

Are fresh expressions proper church?

God values unity across diversity

Oversight and accountability are of course essential. This is especially effective when sought 'from below' rather than imposed 'from above'. Barbara Glasson's story of Somewhere Else is an excellent example of how a unique fresh expression ensured it remained in good relationship with the rest of the church.

Former Methodist President Graham Carter has stressed the need for fresh expressions to be held in relationship by love rather than by regulation.

Further reading

Mixed Up Blessing: A New Encounter with Being Church

Barbara Glasson, Inspire, 2006, 978-185852305-7

How can I start a fresh expression?

It is really important to start by listening to the community or network you want to reach. You might literally walk the streets and listen to what people have to say, invite a group to a pub for a meal and ask them what church might look like for them, or get on the internet and do statistical research.

How might we start a fresh expression?

A fresh expressions journey might start as Christians serve their area or network, a community then begins to form, evangelism leads to disciple making and eventually a culturally relevant form of church emerges.

How do fresh expressions develop?

Our essential guides explore how to start a fresh expression of church.

Fresh Expressions has also published a series of Share booklets to help groups in churches move forward. They are an excellent place to begin.

How can I find out more?

Resources

You can log on to our website, check out our stories for inspiration, sign up for our regular e-newsletter and check out our booklets and DVDs. Fresh Expression publications are available from our online shop.

The Guide has practical advice on how to start a fresh expression and what fresh expressions are all about.

Training

You could also consider coming to a vision day, running a mission shaped intro course or signing up for mission shaped ministry.