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We have suggested a simple way of thinking about fresh expressions, summarised below. Of course, fresh expressions of church vary immensely, so the diagram should not be seen as a straitjacket – 'this is how everyone does it'. 

Rather, it should be seen as a journey that many fresh expressions travel, each finding its own unique route. Often the stages overlap, and sometimes they are taken in a different order. They should all be bathed in prayer. The sequence resonates with Jesus' ministry. How do fresh expressions develop?

A fresh expressions journey

Evangelism is the bridge between community and discipleship. It is a vital part of the response to Jesus' call to make disciples (Matthew 28.19) and grows out of relationships formed within the community. 

As we serve others and form community among them, deeper relationships will develop naturally. Questions about life and what makes us tick will surface. 

Some members of the team may share their faith stories as a matter of course, while others may need help to do so.

As stories are told, questions may be asked and interest may grow. People may want opportunities to explore the Christian faith, learn how to worship and discover how to live Godly lives.

Different bridges can be built into faith for those who are interested:

• You can include an explicitly Christian dimension from an early stage.

• You can include a 'spirituality' element from an early stage.

• You can form a smaller group to explore Christianity, consisting of those interested.

All three bridges could be used in combination.

Including an explicitly Christian dimension at an early stage may be possible in a number of cases, perhaps even at the first meeting. 

A parenting course might be based on Christian values, for example, which are explained and perhaps illustrated from Scripture.

Or it might include 15 minutes of Christian reflection at the end of the evening, with  candles on a table, some meditative Christian music, a short reading from Scripture, time for silent prayer and a couple of spoken prayers.

At the end of an after-school club, children might be invited to tell a friend their hopes and fears for the next day. The children might then pray for each other, silently or out loud. 

The next time the club meets, the children might share whether they had any answers to prayer. It would be important to make clear to parents in advance that this would be part of the club's programme.

In a drop-in centre, Christian helpers might hold a short, reflective communion service in the middle of the day in the room next door. Anyone would be welcome to attend. 

A thrice weekly church-run community café and household goods exchange provides a social service in a Merseyside parish. Once a week, a 'Quiet Time' runs alongside the café, offering a chance for prayerful reflection to all comers. Read about TANGO.

'Spirituality' might be built into the group's life from the beginning. This could be much the same as above, but with content that was less explicitly Christian. The prayer would be that as individuals explored their spirituality, they would become more open to examining the Christian faith.

A course on managing money might be advertised as including opportunities to explore the spiritual meaning of money.

A book club might finish with silent meditation as participants are invited to pray to God as they understand him (or her), or if they don't believe in God to use the head space to think some positive thoughts.

After a few sessions, people could be asked to share their hopes and concerns for the week ahead, and then to pray for or think positively about each other. The leader could then pray that God would answer their prayers. People with answered prayers might be invited to share these with the group, creating a springboard for further discussion.

As spiritual interest grows, the leader might ask if any in the group would like to learn more about how God responds to prayer and what sort of God he is. Together, they might journey gradually into Christian faith.

A drop-in centre might have a spiritual zone, a room appropriately decorated, which anyone could visit at any time. Individuals might be encouraged to post requests for prayer. Might this become part of people's conversations in the centre, creating opportunities for sensitive Christian witness?

A smaller group might be formed to explore Christianity. The wider group might have no explicitly Christian or 'spiritual' input, but as friendships develop, questions might be asked and Christians would talk about their faith.

A series of stepping stones alongside the group might help individuals travel toward God's love at their own pace.

A mums and tots group might invite carers, mums and dads to the Christingle service, with mulled wine and mince pies afterwards for the adults and food and drink for the kids. It might hold an all-age BBQ in the summer.

It might also host a termly parents evening for people to get to know each other and hear a short talk - perhaps a Christian parent describing how their faith helped them survive the 'terrible twos'.

Some people might be interested in investigating Christianity further. A six-week course might be based on one of the established courses available. 

Or it might arise from a simple invitation: 'Would you like to join us for a few sessions to explore spirituality? Jesus is known as one of the world's greatest spiritual teachers, so we're going to look at some stories he told and see if we agree with them.'

The aim would not be that the course becomes a step into church on Sunday. Rather, the prayer would be that the group stays together and becomes a worshipping cell in its own right.

A Church of England cell church on a new Northamptonshire estate became aware that young mums were looking for companionship. With the help of a local health visitor, a weekly social gathering was established, which later gave rise to toddler services and discipleship courses. Read about Grange Park.

Whatever the bridge, integrity will be vital. Participants will need to know what they are coming to - even a hint of manipulation will be off limits - and individuals will need to be loved for who they are and not for their potential to become believers.

You might want to read Does the fresh expressions journey risk manipulation?

If you are thinking about a starting a fresh expression, can you imagine which of the three evangelistic bridges you might use?

These evangelistic bridges will be only a first step. Jesus calls people to full commitment and whole-life discipleship. So in time, as interest grows, individuals will be offered opportunities to learn more about the Christian faith. 

These opportunities might be inside or outside the setting of the main group. They could be based on a recognised discipleship course, or leaders might design something tailored to the specific context. 

Individuals will need care and nurture to become established as Christians and to learn the habits of life-long spiritual growth. Have you thought about one-2-one mentoring?

An Alpha course was held in a teashop in a former mining town in Nottinghamshire. Several years and several Alpha courses on, a new church still meets in the teashop on a weekday evening, its members now leading and supporting successive Alphas. Read about Fellowship@Grannie's.

'Church' may emerge as individuals grow in discipleship. As this happens, it may be that some of the bridges into faith change.

The act of Christian worship may gain greater depth; the 'spirituality' component might become more explicitly Christian; or the emerging group of new Christians might meet separately for worship, but remain heavily involved with the wider group.

These new believers will develop a fuller expression of church as they:

• grow through worship, personal devotions and study;

• become more sacrificial in their love for people outside the group;

• develop deeper relationships between themselves;

• increase their commitment to the whole body of Christ.

A Church Army officer moved to an estate created out of a former US air base. By building friendships with his neighbours, he discovered a desire to explore 'church' on this church-less estate.

Starting with Alpha, a new Christian community has developed and taken on a life of its own. Read about Heyford Chapel.

A young mums' Alpha course matured into a cell in a mixed economy benefice in rural Norfolk. The mums started a monthly toddler service, gradually taking over leadership of it from their team rector.

Following this success, they went on to lead an Alpha course of their own. Read about 4All.

 

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