Fresh Expressions

21 September 2010

Eastern Synod        

Distribution – all in Eastern Synod           

Subject – Fresh Expressions

I have in my hand the print out of an article from Saturday’s Guardian with the headline “Church attendance has bottomed out”. The article comments on research which demonstrates that the long-term decline of the church in statistical terms is perhaps now changing. There are of course many factors in this and one of the interesting and challenging things for all of us is the range of ways in which we engage in mission.

One of the main mission initiatives at this point in time is in the whole area of Fresh Expressions. The Fresh Expressions initiative was started by the Church of England and the Methodist Church , but more recently the URC and the Congregational Federation have signed up too.

Fresh Expressions run a weekly guest blog and I have been invited to write for that and my blog entry is on line at the moment, you can find it at www.sharetheguide.org/blog.  It will remain there for the time being, but be on the front page until next Monday.   Not just because I have written it but because I think these areas are relevant for all of us. I would encourage you to perhaps take a look at this and the other materials on the Fresh Expressions website: www.freshexpressions.org.uk or www.sharetheguide.org.

Best wishes, especially for all your considerations of mission and evangelism.

Paul