News and Views

The Fresh Expressions Academy is made up of a diverse group of clergy and lay members from the Baltimore-Washington and Peninsula-Delaware Conferences. Seventeen of the 27 Academy members took the trip to Ocala, Florida to explore first-hand the realities and possibilities of Fresh Expressions.

The excursion included an outing for ice cream and a hymn sing in the park, lunch at some of Ocala’s best local restaurants, exposure to eight Fresh Expressions, and a series of candid conversations. During the trip, they shared some of their thoughts about this emerging form of ministry, which some feel may bring about a reformation or renaissance within The United Methodist Church. Among those thoughts:

The Impact

 Fresh Expressions:

• Are bringing about an awakening in United Methodists’ thinking about ministry and church. Because of a cultural shift, many people are not coming into our sanctuaries. But they may be willing to come to a bar or restaurant or meet for a walk or in a community garden. Faith can emerge in those locations, too. Often, in profound ways
• Are nothing new. Methodism’s founder, John Wesley didn’t invite people to the Church of England. He met them in the fields and at the coal mines. This is a reclaiming of our heritage. For Wesley, reformation wasn’t the goal, but reformation happened.
• Reclaim the importance of lay people. It invites lay people into the ministry of all believers, which has always been one of the strengths of the denomination.
• Will not take the place of traditional church. In fact, they often work best when tethered to an existing congregation in a blended ecology.
• Are intended to reach the unchurched.

Things to know about Fresh Expressions

• It’s okay to fail, sometimes it’s good. Fresh Expressions are experiments. At their best, they are based on an iterative process.
• Fresh Expressions are not a forever ministry. It’s okay when they sunset.
• Not every ministry needs to be called a Fresh Expression.

Tips and thoughts about Creating a Fresh Expression

• Start with your passion. Jesus called to the fisherman, “Come let’s fish for people.” Take what you’re passionate about and transform it into ministry.
• If you’re not sure where to begin, ask, Where is the pain-point or need and where can the church step into that? What can communal life heal?
• Look for partners in the community, find a “Person of Peace” or an organization you can support, not a partner intended to support your efforts.
• They should not cost a lot, or even any money, to begin.
• Focus first on people, not program. Do life with people. Celebrate connections.
• Don’t be too “churchy.” Create different levels of entry into discipleship. Create an ecosystem of grace.
• Always be contextually appropriate.
• Don’t do it alone, create a team. And then, trust the team; don’t micro-manage.

And just to remember along the journey:

• People who have the least in material things are often the richest in the kin-dom of God.
• There are so many good things happening outside our church walls. We all need to be out in the community more. We need to explore and learn.
• We can’t afford not to work together.
• Join in what God is already doing.
• The church needs to get over this sense of competition and its fear of failure. It’s about self-donation. Let’s do this. Let’s swing for the fences.
• You are here because God brought you out of something.
• Just open yourself and share what God has put in your heart. 

Those who went on the Fresh Expressions Academy trip to Ocala include:

Bill Brown, leader
Scott Bostic
Jonathan Brown
Angelic Edwards
Carmella Evans
Lauren Harris
Barb Julian
Narae Kim
Melissa Lauber
Laura Norvell
Cassandra Nuñez
Monsio Seedee
Stephen Tillett
Sam Tryon
Karin Tunnéll
Meredith Wilkins