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The Guide contains how-to-do-it advice on starting, developing and sustaining fresh expressions of church based on shared experiences.
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Home › Starting › Going deeper › Exploring the possibilities › Thinking further about method

Thinking further about method

The 'pastoral cycle' is a way of listening to God in four stages. (See Paul Ballard and John Pritchard, Practical Theology in Action, SPCK, 2006, ch. 6.) Understanding these stages may help you as you explore a fresh expression.
  • The Millennium Eye in London, lit up at nightExperience is the starting point. What is the present situation and how do you experience it?
  • Exploration involves prayerfully asking, 'What's going on this situation? What's going on behind what's going on? What are the factors shaping the present situation and how it's experienced?'
  • Reflection is about trying to see the situation from God's point of view. What would make God thrilled? What would make him weep? If Jesus was here, what would he advise you to do?
  • Action is a response to asking, 'What do we need to do as a result of our exploration and reflection?'

This cycle should be a continuous process. When you take action, you begin to change the experience – the current situation. New dynamics come into play which you explore, reflect on and act upon, which again changes the situation.

For example, perhaps there is a shortage of childcare in your neighbourhood (your experience). You explore why that is, and reflect on what God might like you to do. You start a day nursery (action), in the hope that it could lead to parenting support groups and eventually a Christian enquirers group, which might evolve into church.

Through a fresh expression, Christians may experience a fresh conversion

The day nursery proves popular (experience), you explore why parents value it and whether they would welcome a support group, you prayerfully reflect on whether God is calling you to this next step, and then you take action. This creates a new situation, which in turn you explore...

Exploring and listening, therefore, is not a discreet activity - we've done that and can tick the box. It should be a continuous process throughout the life of a fresh expression.

One result is that individuals involved are themselves changed. They look at the situation with new eyes.

They take on board perceptions of people they listen to. They may 'hear' God saying things they never expected. As they take action, they are likely to work with people they didn't know, and they may well do something they have never done before.

Through a fresh expression, Christians may experience a fresh conversion.

Exploring the possibilities

 

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