Rev. Dr. Michael Adam Beck led a Learning Lab called “Fresh Expressions: Sharing the Gift of Community in a Lonely World.” He was introduced by Rev. Dr. Tim Catlett, Director of New Faith Communities for the NC Conference. New Faith Communities, in partnership with the Center for Leadership Excellence, will be leading the Fresh Expressions Pathway in the NC Conference. Rev. Dr. Beck announced the website where those interested in Fresh Expressions can sign up to join this journey in the NC Conference.

Beck began the Learning Lab by showing a video chronicling the story of an elderly man who left the routine of feeding birds in a park to eventually travel the world and come back to invite those on the bench to do the same. The session participants gave feedback on the video and how it relates to the church. They commented on how the man left his homogenous situation and gradually went out to feed birds in new places and eventually engage with other cultures around the world, growing healthier as he did so. Participants related the video to the church and noted that the church can be healthier by going out into the world.

Beck named a term he created through his ministry experience: Gift Of Desperation (G.O.D.). G.O.D explains how challenges in church can create possibilities for new ways of being the church. He encouraged participants to start with what they already do, build community with people around that activity or interest, and invite others on the adventure.

He used scripture, biology, and more to highlight the significance of compassion to followers of Jesus. He taught the participants the word splanchnizomai, meaning to be moved in the gut toward compassion. This word is used in scripture when Jesus saw those who suffered. Scriptures Matthew 9:36, 15:32, and John 1:14 grounded this understanding.

Beck pointed out that studies have shown that regular church attendance does not equate with greater compassion. Churches have both compassion fade and compassion fatigue. Furthermore, one in three Americans has been harmed by the church. While it is said that all are welcome at church, church culture is foreign to many. Beck then highlighted how he ministries of Jesus and the Wesleys went to meet people where they were rather than expecting people to walk through the church door.

Reflecting on the epidemic of loneliness, Beck referenced koinonia, the gift of community that the church has to offer the world. He went on to describe the steps to beginning a Fresh Expressions journey that can create space for belonging:

1. Listening to Spirit
2. Loving and Serving
3. Building Community
4. Sharing Faith
5. Forming Church
6. Doing It Again

Beck closed the session by inviting participants to answer these questions with each other:

1. What do you do every week?
2. Where do you do that?
3. Who do you do that with?

Participants shared some of their answers to these questions as possible Fresh Expressions: outdoor recreation, restaurants, breweries, family shelters, food pantries, and pickleball.

To keep up with the Fresh Expressions movement, join the Passional Church Substack and visit the NC Conference Fresh Expressions website.