Testing Fresh Expressions

Testing Fresh Expressions
Author: John Walker
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 271
Release: 2016-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1317045793

Testing Fresh Expressions investigates whether fresh expressions of church really do what is claimed for them by the fresh expressions movement and, in particular, whether their unique approach helps to reverse trends of decline experienced by traditional churches. Part 1 examines those claims and untangles their sociological and theological assumptions. From a careful study of factors underlying attendance decline and growth, Part 2 argues that long-term decline can be resisted only if churches are better able to attract children, the non-churched or both. Part 3 tests the comparative ability of a group of growing parish churches and a group of fresh expressions to resist trends of decline and discovers some intriguing social dynamics common to both groups. Part 4 argues that fresh expressions do not fulfil the unique role often claimed for them but that they do have the capacity to help reinvigorate the whole church.

Church Planting in the Secular West

Church Planting in the Secular West
Author: Stefan Paas
Publisher: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing
Total Pages: 316
Release: 2016-11-03
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1467446181

An expert study of church planting in the most secular part of contemporary Europe In this book Stefan Paas offers thoughtful analysis of reasons and motives for missionary church planting in Europe, and he explores successful and unsuccessful strategies in that post-Christian secularized context. Drawing in part on his own involvement with planting two churches in the Netherlands, Paas explores confessional motives, growth motives, and innovation motives for church planting in Europe, tracing them back to different traditions and reflecting on them from theological and empirical perspectives. He presents examples from the European context and offers sound advice for improving existing missional practices. Paas also draws out lessons for North America in a chapter coauthored with Darrell Guder and John Franke. Finally, Paas weaves together the various threads in the book with a theological defense of church planting. Presenting new research as it does, this critical missiological perspective will add significantly to a fuller understanding of church planting in our contemporary context.

Fresh Expressions in the Mission of the Church

Fresh Expressions in the Mission of the Church
Author: Church House Publishing
Publisher: Church House Publishing
Total Pages: 234
Release: 2012
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 071514295X

Christians are increasingly seeking new ways of doing church, often called 'fresh expressions', which has created new questions and challenges for the Church as a whole. This Anglican-Methodist report explores the challenges raised by fresh expressions, from what it means to be a 'church', to sacramental life and the deployment of resources.

The Place of the Parish

The Place of the Parish
Author: Martin Robinson
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2020-02-28
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0334058279

In "The Place of the Parish" Martin Robinson explores this shift, considering how it is manifested in a variety of contexts, rural, inner-city, Anglican and independent. Drawing on specific examples linked to the so-called ‘New Parish Movement’, he demonstrates how a theology of place is made manifest in the mission of the church today.

Testing Fresh Expressions

Testing Fresh Expressions
Author: John Walker
Publisher: Routledge
Total Pages: 248
Release: 2016-04-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1317045785

Testing Fresh Expressions investigates whether fresh expressions of church really do what is claimed for them by the fresh expressions movement and, in particular, whether their unique approach helps to reverse trends of decline experienced by traditional churches. Part 1 examines those claims and untangles their sociological and theological assumptions. From a careful study of factors underlying attendance decline and growth, Part 2 argues that long-term decline can be resisted only if churches are better able to attract children, the non-churched or both. Part 3 tests the comparative ability of a group of growing parish churches and a group of fresh expressions to resist trends of decline and discovers some intriguing social dynamics common to both groups. Part 4 argues that fresh expressions do not fulfil the unique role often claimed for them but that they do have the capacity to help reinvigorate the whole church.

Fresh Expressions in the Sacramental Tradition

Fresh Expressions in the Sacramental Tradition
Author: Steven Croft
Publisher: Canterbury Press
Total Pages: 192
Release: 2013-02-11
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1848254423

Mission Shaped Church, the groundbreaking report published in 2004 has sold over 20,000 copies and has changed the way mission is done. This title offers a resource for exploring and applying the insights from fresh style mission in the traditional wings of the church where various worship communities are being formed.

Evaluating Fresh Expressions

Evaluating Fresh Expressions
Author: Louise Nelstrop
Publisher: Canterbury Press
Total Pages: 256
Release: 2013-02-12
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1848254490

An impressive line up of contributors first asks what counts as a ‘fresh expression’ and who decides. Part 1 explores what postmodern ways of viewing the world means for the way churches explore truth and uncertainty, and tradition as an evolving rather than a static enterprise. Part 2 uses real examples to examines who attends ‘fresh expressions’ and what it incarnational theology looks like in practice. Part 3 considers the implications for clergy training and whether there is a case for making ‘pioneer ministry’ a discrete type.

Flexible Church

Flexible Church
Author: Helen D. Morris
Publisher: SCM Press
Total Pages: 163
Release: 2019-05-31
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 0334058155

Flexible Church proposes an ecclesiology for innovative expressions of church that is grounded in biblical texts whilst self-consciously and intentionally developed for the contemporary Western milieu. The result is a framework serves as a guide and auditing tool for pioneering church planters.

Mission-shaped Questions

Mission-shaped Questions
Author: Steven Croft
Publisher: Church Publishing, Inc.
Total Pages: 240
Release: 2010-09-01
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1596272236

Mission-Shaped Church launched a movement. Mission-Shaped Questions addresses the big theological and practical queries that movement unleashed, including: What exactly is church? Can we develop churches that can transform culture? Can we be missionshaped and kingdom-focused, too?