What is a Fresh Expression?

In an article, “Church for the spiritual but not religious,” Luke Edwards—a pastor in the Western North Carolina Conference—neatly summarized what a Fresh Expression is. These four points are guides that help us understand how to reach new people in ways that build connection and trust.

1. 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.
2. Fresh expressions usually 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.
3. Fresh expressions often gather around shared interests, passions, or life experiences.
   Community is formed around shared interests like kayaking, 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.
4. 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.