Fresh Expressions
The Diocese of Ripon and Leeds is, according to the national Fresh Expressions team, ‘a step ahead of the game’. Fresh Expressions and Pioneer Ministry, in many ways, have become an integral part of the life and ministry of our diocese. As well as a growing number of churches exploring fresh expressions of church there are also a number of licensed Pioneer Ministers leading specific mission initiatives in a variety of places and networks.
The team is committed to supporting Fresh Expressions of church in the Diocese from the initial praying/thinking stage to the continuing development of a worshiping community. For information about training, funding, existing fresh expressions, Pioneer Ministry, or finding someone to act as a ‘mission companion’ for your project, this website should be able to point you in the right direction.
Tell your story to inspire others. No matter what stage your fresh expression is at, whether it’s a fully fledged worshiping community or a developing idea amongst a just a few people, we’d love to hear from you.
What is a Fresh Expression of church?
A fresh expression of church is a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church. This kind of church come into being through the principles of listening to the wider community and the cultures within it, service to those in need and the marginalised, incarnational mission and making disciples. Fresh expressions have the potential to become mature expressions of church that are shaped by the Gospel and the enduring marks of the church in a way that is appropriate for its cultural context.
Fresh Expressions are not limited to any one particular tradition within the church; they are often a blend of traditions and ecumenical. Click here to check out the growing group of Fresh Expressions in the contemplative/sacramental tradition.
Where did Fresh Expressions come from?
Fresh Expressions is a national movement to help Christians of any denomination think about ways of starting and growing fresh expressions of church in their area. It was established in 2004 as an Archbishops’ initiative supported by the Methodist Council with a brief to encourage mission through fresh expressions of church alongside existing parish churches. Most Dioceses in the Church of England have a number of Fresh Expressions.
To find out more about Fresh Expressions generally click here for the national Fresh Expressions website.
To see what other people across the country are saying about Fresh Expressions and the questions they’re asking click here.
To get a free copy of the national Fresh Expressions journal download here.
Funding for Fresh Expressions
The aim for every Fresh Expression of church is to become self-financing and to develop its own stewardship and giving. In the early stages of setting up a Fresh Expression this is not always possible, particularly in terms of initial outlay on resources and training such as the MSM course. In recognition of this the Diocese has allocated a significant amount of money each year (£30,000 in 2008) to be given as grants of between £500 and £3000. The full application criteria can be found on the application form that can be downloaded from this page.
The money set aside for these grants has come from a legacy that has been earmarked for Fresh Expressions. In the past, the take-up for the diocesan fresh expressions grant has not been as high as we had anticipated. So, no matter how small or large your project is, have a think how this money could be used for it and send in an application, if it meets the criteria it has a good chance of being approved for a grant.
Download the Fresh Expressions grant application form here.
Mission Companions
Sometimes it’s really helpful to have someone from ‘outside’ to come and journey with you and your team as you pray and think about where God might be calling you to plant a Fresh Expression of church, or grapple with issues around developing an existing Fresh Expression.
Mission Companions are available in the Diocese to do this. Working with individual leaders or leadership teams, they will prayerfully listen and ask helpful questions, prompting further thinking to help you move on to the next stage of your project. They don’t report back to anybody, they won’t impose their ideas, and their costs are only those to cover their transport.
Training for Fresh Expressions
There are a number of events planned for 2009 to help churches think about what fresh expressions might look like in their parish, and a number of training events to support lay and ordained people who are looking to start a fresh expression or are already running one. These include:
Vision Days – Dream dreams - ask questions - share your story - think about what it is to be church - find out about fresh expressions - discover resources - build networks and relationships. A day for the whole Christian community to discover more about fresh expressions of church. To be held in Leeds and Richmond, details to follow.
Mission-Shaped Introduction course - six sessions to rediscover mission and reimagine church. Will be held in Leeds and Richmond, details to follow. It can also be downloaded and used by a parish group or Deanery.
Mission-Shaped Ministry course - A year's course to look in depth at issues relating to setting up and running a fresh expression. Currently running in Scholes, Leeds, September 2008 – July 2009, another course will be starting in September 2009.