We asked, you answered…

So thank you! The North Carolina Conference is offering faith exploration, innovative ministries, and Fresh Expressions to new people in new places.

In a recent article in UM Discipleship, Luke Edwards, a pastor and staff member in the Western North Carolina Conference, neatly summarized what a Fresh Expression is.

These four bullet points are the guides that help us understand how to reach new people in ways that build connection and trust.

• Fresh expressions are new forms of church designed for spiritually open people who are not already a part of church. Fresh expressions meet people where they are on their spiritual journey. They typically gather in small groups where people can ask questions, share their thoughts and experiences, and grow alongside others in intimate community.
• Fresh expressions meet outside of the church building. Gatherings typically occur in public spaces, homes, cafes or the outdoors. We follow the example of Jesus and go to the people with whom we’d like to connect.
• Fresh expressions often gather around shared interests, passions or life experiences. Community is formed around shared interests like kayaking, or shared passions like ecological justice, or shared life experiences like single parenthood. Out of these connections we look for opportunities to form social and spiritual community.
• Fresh expressions are lay-led and clergy supported. Typically, a team of 2-3 people from a church come together to listen to the community and form a gathering. Clergy offer support to the fresh expression leaders, whether that is coaching, prayer or administering the sacraments.

Need more information and inspiration about Fresh Expressions, join us at the 2025 NC Annual Conference! Michael Beck, the United Methodist Fresh Expressions leader, will be at our Annual Conference’s Learning Lab on Wednesday afternoon with two presentations (June 11) and at the Laity Executive Session on Thursday morning at 10 am (June 12).

Some of our conference Fresh Expressions and creative ministries are listed below….Take inspiration from other churches and contextualize the idea for your church or do something completely different.

Northwoods UMC, Jacksonville offers VBS at a housing complex and is connecting with their preschool and scouting families in new ways.

Trinity UMC in New Bern is hosting Messy Church, a ukelele ensemble, and gospel, bluegrass and country jam sessions.

Union Grove UMC in Hillsborough hosts Beer and Hymns, and supports a second campus called Eno House to support and encourage the arts.

Saint Luke in Sanford offers Pints with the Pastor and Jesus with a Twist (monthly meal out for women–open to the community).

Genesis, All Saints, White Plains, and Macedonia UMC – Cary/Raleigh area cohosts Longleaf Beer and Hymns.

Church at Spring Forest is a new monastic, missional constellation of Fresh Expressions. For more information, visit www.springforest.org.

In the NCCUMC, we’re building pathways for deeper support, connection, and coaching for those ready to engage with this ministry more intentionally. There’s more to come, and we’d love for you to be part of it! We hope to see you at one of the learning opportunities at Annual Conference!

In Christ,
Leah, Josey, and Jerrico
Center for Leadership Excellence