In a time of uncertainty about what the future of The United Methodist Church—and most denominations—will look like, Fresh Expressions brings some hopeful direction. 

You may have heard of “church” taking place in some unusual places in some unusual ways, such as dinner church and pub hymn-sings. These are examples of Fresh Expressions, an intentional, interdenominational creative movement of Christians who bring the gospel to those who would probably never come to a traditional church setting. Begun in 2004 by the Methodist Church of Britain and the Church of England, Fresh Expressions creates community that welcomes new people and helps them feel comfortable at God’s table. 

“The United Methodist Church is changing,” says Amania Drane, a Northern Illinois United Methodist layperson and consultant to the Anti-Racism Task Force and Discipleship Task Force.  “This may bring some fear and anxiety, but we remain hopeful and eager to share God’s love with all, especially those hurt, harmed, or marginalized by the church. Through this time of change and uncertainty, we rejoice in an unchanging God who welcomes and loves all.” 

Amania, four other clergy, and I attended “Futuring Forward: The Reawakening of the People Called Methodist,” the first-ever Fresh Expressions United Methodist (FXUM) national gathering, Feb. 7-9 in Charlotte, N.C. Also attending from NIC were Rev. Zaki Zaki, pastor of Wheatland Salem UMC in Naperville; Rev. Jin Hee Kang, pastor of Galena UMC; Rev. Matthew Smith, pastor of Warren UMC and Red Oak UMC; and Rev. Jacob Tipantasig-Wolverton, pastor of Community UMC in Naperville. 

Bishops, scholars, and practitioners across the connection led presentations and workshops. These provided practical tools and processes and tours of Fresh Expressions sites in the Charlotte area.  Read a recap of the event and find links to the keynote speakers here.

Countering the post-COVID slump 

At the event, we learned that one in three practicing Christians dropped out of church completely at the beginning of COVID-19 and have not returned. A significant number of adults say they have no intention of walking into a church. Yet these people are still looking for community and some are seeking some type of faith conversation. 

After attending the workshops and working on projects together, we in the NIC group believe that Fresh Expressions is key to the conference’s reaching such disaffected adults. It opens doors to reaching new generations for Christ. 

Seniors ministry attracts partners 

My church began a Fresh Expressions ministry for seniors in our Wilmington neighborhood. We were inspired by a coaching opportunity with Paul Nickerson, an expert in church vitality, provided by the NIC.  

We decided that since most of our active church members are older people, we would like to target their outreach programs to seniors. We thought that if they could attract seniors to existing programs, then in time the seniors would bring their children and grandchildren to church. 

Our church’s Nurture, Outreach and Witness Committee determined that one of the greatest needs of seniors in the area was fellowship with other people during the day. The NIC Code Red Congregational Development Committee gave us a microgrant that helped us to begin a Community Senior Lunch.  

We served the first meal in March 2023. Now we host it twice a month and 30 to 35 people attend. Grace Lutheran Church in Wilmington helps to prepare the lunch. The Wilmington Pastors’ Association supported it by promoting it and urging their church members to attend.  

A significant part of the gathering is games and fellowship. Community organizations that serve seniors offer presentations. This has been so successful that other organizations are asking for presentation time. 

The Rotary Club has decided to conduct a city-wide survey to ask seniors about their needs, which will inform its sponsorship of more programs at our luncheons. In April, the police department will lead a community-wide presentation on scams that target seniors. 

The NIC Fresh Expressions grant helped us get the ministry off the ground. Now the church can support it with the help of free-will donations. 

As a Fresh Expressions program, the intent of the ministry is to provide a place where seniors can gather. But a few of our lunch guests now attend our church.     

From our experience, I can confirm that Fresh Expressions is not just for reaching young people. It helps all kinds of people see church in a new way. 

More help for churches 

Rev. Martin Lee, the NIC director of congregational development and redevelopment, has been encouraging conference pastors and laypeople to explore Fresh Expressions. Rev. Lee has organized, among other opportunities, training by denominational leaders of Fresh Expressions. 

In March 2021, Bishop Kenneth Carter, author (with Audrey Warren) of Fresh Expressions: A New Kind of Methodist Church (Abingdon Press, 2017), led an online training in the NIC. In 2022, Rev. Dr. Michael Beck presented a workshop to introduce Fresh Expressions as a wave of new Christian churches emerging to reach unchurched and de-churched people living in an increasingly non-religious and multi-religious culture. Beck also visited every district to teach how to start a Fresh Expressions ministry.  (View a recording of the event here.)

“We have been planting small seeds here and there through this program,” Rev. Lee said. “We’ve also experimented with giving microgrants of $500 each to help churches implement a Fresh Expressions ministry” (see sidebar). 

Find many resources for Fresh Expressions ministries at these websites: 

• Fresh Expressions Page, a nondenominational resource center 
• Fresh Expressions UM Discipleship Ministries, a United Methodist site that provides training and informational content 
• Fresh Expressions Amplify Media Page, Abingdon Press’s collection of resources from Rev. Adam Beck 

Your giving to NIC apportionments supports the office of Development and Redevelopment. Your giving to General Church apportionments supports the national Fresh Expressions efforts.