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Society in Britain has changed dramatically in the last 30 years,
especially in terms of our understanding of community and how we
relate to one another. One of the responses of the Church has been
to plant new churches and create 'fresh expressions' of church;
churches that relate to our changing context. With a new foreword
by the Rt Revd Graham Cray, this detailed, practical and
well-researched report: gives an overview of recent developments in
church planting; describes varied and exciting 'fresh expressions'
of church; offers practical help and advice; looks candidly at
where lessons can be learned; proposes a framework and methodology
for good, effective church planting; includes recommendations to
make possible the visions of a vibrant future Church. Each chapter
has a set of questions and challenges to help local parish churches
engage with the issues.
Mission Shaped Church, the groundbreaking report which has sold
over 20,000 copies has transformed understandings of mission in the
UK. Fresh Expressions, which sprang into being in its wake, is an
established presence in Britain, the USA and Canada. This important
book poses a challenging question: what are the aims of mission and
are they being achieved through Fresh Expressions? This book argues
that mission is equally about social transformation or, in biblical
terms, building the kingdom of God, as well as building the church.
Theological reflection and stories from front line practitioners in
churches in the sacramental traditions (with their heritage of
service in poor communities) combine to create a unique, timely and
valuable resource which includes contributions from leading names
in the study and practice of mission today.
The combination of Fresh Expressions and the explosion of interest
in monastic spirituality is resulting in the emergence of new
monastic communities inspired by historic patterns of religious
life, but reframed for the contemporary world. This worldwide
movement is seen as a radical expression of ecclesial community and
was named in Mission Shaped Church as one of the leading new forms
of church that would help people reconnect with Christianity. A new
monastic community may be a dispersed group of families and
individuals meeting to share meals and worship, it might be a group
connected virtually; it might be a youth group exploring monastic
spirituality. In this book, leaders of traditional religious
communities and emerging 'new monastic' communities tell their
stories and reflect on how an ancient expression of being church is
inspiring and shaping a very new one. Included are many well-known
contributors: Graham Cray, Tom Sine, Shane Claiborne, Ray Simpson,
Abbot Stuart Burns and others exploring intentional living in the
UK and the US.
For Generation Y, born after 1982, Margaret Thatcher is a piece of
social history, relationships happen over the internet and music
marks their territory. How does this generation think about the
world? What does their spirituality look like? And what
implications does this have for the Church? Based on original
research, Making Sense of Generation Y explores how young people
aged 15-25 draw on popular culture to shape their worldview and
spirituality. The results of this research suggest that many of the
Church's previous assumptions about this generation have been
wrong. How can the Church begin to reconnect with this generation?
Making Sense of Generation Y grapples with this challenging
question and suggests ways forward. This title is essential reading
for clergy, youth workers and all those wishing to engage with
young people.
This timely, multi-faceted book by a collection of leading thinkers
and practitioners provides church leaders with the resources to
re-imagine church and ministry in the twenty-first century. Looking
at both traditional forms of church and fresh expressions, this
wide-ranging book offers invaluable historical, psychological,
sociological and theological perspectives on the parish system.
Leading thinkers outline the challenges facing the Church, present
suggestions for areas for development, and set out principles for
future growth.
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