Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church For People Not In Church

by Kenneth H. Carter Jr., Audrey Warren

A wave of new Christian churches are emerging to reach unchurched and dechurched people who live in a culture that is increasingly non-religious and multi-religious. These new forms of church gather and network with people who typically have never been to church. The new faith communities listen to people and go where they are on the journey toward Jesus. They are deeply ecumenical but do not lose their distinctiveness because they learn fresh ways to communicate their identity through discipleship.



Fresh Expressions began in the United Kingdom where it ignited over 3000 new faith communities. In the United States the movement is putting down roots in Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Florida.

Ken Carter and Audrey Warren offer this book as a group study for church leaders and congregations who are in the grip of Holy Spirit motivation to renew their tradition by reaching people who are dechurched or not yet in a discipleship relationship with Jesus.

Each chapter includes two Bible study experiences for group conversation. "I have been an observer of and cheerleader for the Fresh Expressions movement ... from the beginning, and I've lamented how slow US congregations have been to welcome and adapt this movement for our setting. Now, as an admirer and ally of the United Methodist mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world, I am thrilled to see Fresh Expressions gaining this hearing in United Methodism in the United States. May thousands of congregations be inspired and equipped by Audrey Warren and Kenneth Carter's new book!" - Brian D. McLaren, author of The Great Spiritual Migration

"I was most fortunate to have Ken Carter and Audrey Warren as my guides as we explored Fresh Expressions of Church all across England. Now you are fortunate enough to have them lead you on a similar journey through the pages of this book. I hope you will be as excited as I was to find Church as I always dreamed it could be, moving outside the walls of sanctuaries and radically following the Holy Spirit's lead to new spaces and new people. This is the Church of Acts and the early Methodists. I hope it is also the Church of the twenty-first century. Enjoy your journey!" --Sue Haupert-Johnson, Resident Bishop of the North Georgia Episcopal Area, The United Methodist Church



"If you've felt God calling your church into a new kind of mission but you haven't been sure how to go about it -- this book is a great place to start. Get ready for a dose of hope." --Kenda Creasy Dean, Mary D. Synnott Professor of Youth, Church and Culture, Princeton Theological Seminary

"This book is an essential group study for United Methodists who are serious about God's mission. Well researched, clearly written, and insightful, this volume includes carefully developed Bible studies and reflection questions for every chapter. --Elaine A. Heath, dean, Duke Divinity School

"I owe my spiritual life to a group of pioneer missionaries who followed Jesus into my world. Fresh Expressions is a new way to do this." --Jorge Acevedo, lead pastor, Grace Church, a multi-site United Methodist congregation

"Marvelous stuff! Pray God this timely book, with its readable and inspirational content and Bible studies, finds its way into the hearts, minds, and decisions of every congregation in every conference!" --Martyn Atkins, former General Secretary of the Methodist Church in Britain

Genres: Church, Christianity, Leadership

134 pages, Paperback

Published May 1, 2017

Reviews

[Douglas · Rating 3 out of 5]

UM agencies provide training to accompany this text. I read this in advance of such a class.

[Kathy Randall · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short, congregation focused primer on Fresh Expressions. Each of the six chapters is split into two sections, each of which has a group bible study, resulting in a 12 session bible study provided in the context of the book.
The book would be helpful as a way into conversations with a congregation about supporting laity and clergy interested in launching Fresh Expressions.
(For a "How-To" book, Luke Edwards 2021 "A Trail Guide to Fresh Expressions" goes into details for discernment and launching)
I'm really curious how the authors might adapt some of the ideas to a post pandemic church, this book was published in 2017.
My favorite section was chapter 5a, The heart of Fresh Expressions: Discipleship as Spiritual Formation and Mentoring; which I feel is the most helpful general teaching in the book, that applies to all ministry, not simply this particular grassroots movement.

I think further interrogation of support of this new model of church is called for as we consider stability balanced with itinerancy (briefly discussed in chapter 6). I've often encountered the possibility of "bi-vocational" ministry as a solution to funding issues, without really reckoning with the necessary stability and family considerations that are inherent in the details of that lived reality. The section focuses on the possibilities without recognizing the necessary sacrifices.

On the whole, a positive, upbeat, simple explanation of the Fresh Expression movement written as an invitation to consider expanding a church's idea of faith community.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a member of the "dones" and "dechurched", but I always hold out hope that my local churches will begin to see the need to change for future generations. It seems like churches are either doing absolutely zero to change because they are being led by people in their 60's and 70's that see no reason (nor have the energy) to do anything differently, or church leaders are going to the other extreme in having coffee shops and rock and roll praise bands on Sunday morning to entice people to come be entertained. However, this book is about the basics. Forget about the fancy term of "Fresh Expressions" (and unfortunately, I never felt like I truly understood what "Fresh Expressions" really was about as far as an official movement, and their web site even seems fairly vague to me). It doesn't matter what this particular group calls this movement though. This book will still remind you of the basics of making disciples and meeting people where they are just as Jesus did. I highly recommend this for Methodist congregations that find themselves slowly dying out and/or any church that is struggling.

[Rev. Val Ohle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Regardless of whether you're interested in the Fresh Expressions movement, this book is a superb resource for use when teaching about discipleship, spiritual formation, or working with people who are just beginning to explore a life following Christ. It's well written with a clear and obvious passion for the topics, and each chapter is supplemented with a relevant Bible study.

[Deborah Porras]

Second time. For a class. Always loved the ideas and practical implementation in the book. Doesn’t work in the long run unless as part of a larger, funded faith community. But definitely the ideas the future looks to.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book bad title

There is a lot of good stuff in here. This would be good to do as a study at church. The only thing I don't like is the title. It sounds like salad.

[Melissa Collier Gepford · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good concept, and I appreciate the group study questions.

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Almost just an outline, not a lot of meat. Not a "how to" book, more like "why."

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tough read

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Part story, part bible study, this is a great book to use to start engaging the topic of fresh expressions within your faith communities