Author: ben-clymo

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.

This simple booklet outlines what a Bishop's Mission Order is. Every PCC and deanery synod in the land needs to come to grips with the opportunities created by the new Bishops' Mission Orders. The booklet sets out when a BMO may be needed, what it can and cannot do, and how the process will work.

In clear, accessible language, the booklet covers the background to the Dioceses, Pastoral and Mission Measure 2007, the consultation needed, the steps you need to follow, the role of the Visitor, drawing up an order and provision for review. This short guide is an essential starting point in making the most of a key piece of new legislation to support fresh expressions of church.

More information about BMOs can be found on the BMO page of the Guide.

You can also download an introductory presentation, based on this booklet, for use in dioceses, districts, parishes, circuits, congregations and other gatherings.

This book describes some of the exciting fresh ways of being church which are emerging in a Methodist context in Britain. We live in a fast changing world in which the Church seems to be less and less relevant, but God is always in the business of doing new things. Alongside the stories there is material suitable for study groups and personal enquiry. There are also three major articles to take you further into the subject and contributions from a variety of fresh expressions practitioners.

changing church for a changing world is co-written by Pete Pillinger and Andrew Roberts, both Methodist ministers working as part of the Fresh Expressions core team. There are additional contributions from Martyn Atkins, Tom Stuckey, Martin Wellings and others.

Although the book was expanded and revised from a report written for Methodist Conference 2007, it contains much about fresh expressions in a wider context and setting than just Methodism.

A DVD of stories of fresh expressions of church from around the country.

Skater church… Cell church… Messy church… All over the country Christians are beginning new initiatives to connect with those who are currently outside church.

Presented by well-known Songs of Praise presenter Diane-Louise Jordan and produced by the Fresh Expressions team, this 75 minute DVD tells 14 engaging and informative stories of these fresh expressions and describes some of the lessons learned so far.

An excellent training tool for those interested in setting up or understanding more about Fresh Expressions. Be inspired!

1. Stories of church (half-hour feature)
2. Legaxy XS
3. Taste and See
4. Sunday 4:6
5. Sanctuary
6. Nightshift
7. New Horizons
8. Somewhere Else
9. B1
10. Messy Church
11. The Living Room
12. Sanctus1
13. The Bridge
14. Cable Street
15. Mind the Gap

You can also purchase each of the 15 chapters as a downloadable video clip (£2 for each short story, £3 for the main half hour feature) using the links above.

A DVD of stories and discussion starters from fresh expressions around the country.

Fresh expressions are flourishing in all types of places… where you live, worship and work. All over the country Christians are beginning new initiatives to connect with those who are currently outside church.

Presented by Diane Louise Jordan, this DVD focuses on four specific areas where fresh expressions of church are breaking new ground. Each film looks at fresh expressions with a distinct focus: work and leisure, rural, sacramental and youth.

Also on the DVD, there are six discussion starters. These feature experienced contributors, who will help you and your team unpack your thinking about contemporary mission and fresh expressions of church.

I'm colossally encouraged by the amount of activity that there seems to be around the church at the moment. This DVD tells part of this new story: I hope you will watch it, give thanks to God and get involved!

Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, 2003-2012

1. Work, rest and play (Riverforce, Tubestation, Re:Fresh)

   Additional material: transcript of chapter 1

2. A new harvest? (Tolland, The Gathering, The Warham Trust, Tas Valley)

   Additional material: transcript of chapter 2

3. The Lord is here (Moot, Goth Eucharist, Contemplative Fire)
4. Generate (Adrenalin, Essex primary school, Prezence, Blackburn Schools, Side Door)

   Additional material: transcript of chapter 4

5. Discussion starter: being mission-shaped

   Additional material: transcript of chapters 5-9

   Additional material: discussion notes for chapters 1-9

6. Discussion starter: listening for mission
7. Discussion starter: starting a fresh expression
8. Discussion starter: sustaining fresh expressions
9. Discussion starter: discipleship
10. The allotment – a short story

You can also purchase each of the ten chapters as a downloadable video clip (£2 for each discussion starter, £3 for the four main features) using the links to the right.

Additional material

Discussion notes to accompany the different sections are available to download above. You can also download transcripts of each chapter.

The discussions are ideal for using in a small group or by individuals after watching each sequence on the DVD. You could spend an evening on each of the four longer sequences (1-4) which last about 20 minutes each. You could probably cover a couple of the shorter sequences (5-9) in an evening – they last about 5-6 minutes each.

There are no notes for the modern parable, The Allotment (10). Simply watch this and share what God seems to be saying to you through it.

I've practically worn out the first expressions DVD, I’ve used it so much! These new, powerful and inspiring stories reflect that, whatever your context, with God ordinary folk really can do extraordinary things. Go for it – you CAN do it!

Sally Thornton, Methodist Local Preacher and Fresh Expressions Associate Missioner