In 2004 the Church of England produced a report called Mission-shaped Church: church planting and fresh expressions of church in a changing culture. The report was unanimously commended by the General Synod in February 2004, and 15,000 copies were sold in the first year.
Following up this surprise bestseller, Moving on in a Mission-shaped Church is a simple and practical guide to help local churches meet the demands of the 21st century.
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But what was Mission-shaped Church? If you're not one of the several thousand people who already own a copy of this epoch-defining book, the following extracts from Moving On... set it in context. So what is Mission-shaped Church all about?
Springtime in the Church?
All over the country, something new is happening.
Christians are stepping out in faith and starting new initiatives for people who are right ouside the church as it is currently. We call these new initiatives 'fresh expressions of church'.
What's happening?
A small church in Derby started a monthly gathering in the style of a café. The event is advertised for people who are spiritual but not religious. There is good coffee, good music and a short input around a theme each month. After four months, the community gathering at Soul Café was regularly more than 100 people.
Changing times
Why are so many Christians beginning fresh expressions of church? Part of the reason is that society around us is changing very rapidly.
The pattern of the week, the way we relate to others, our culture - all these have changed. Today, much of the British population knows less and less about Christianity. Our society may be becoming less religious but it is becoming more spiritual.
Learning to be a both-and Church
Does all this change mean the Church has to abandon what we are doing and all the traditions we love? Not at all!
All the research suggests that, when done well, the traditional forms of church are still helpful and meaningful for up to 40 per cent of the population. This is a wonderful mission field. We need to continue to develop and grow the Church as it is.
Responding to the Mission-shaped Church report, in Autumn 2004, the Archbishops, with the support of the Methodist Council, set up a new initiative, Fresh Expressions. The aim of Fresh Expressions is to resource mission through fresh expressions of church life in every place.
New initiatives include:
A large church in the centre of York began a Sunday morning service in a local gym for those on the edge of church life. Many people combine going to the gym with attending the church. The congregation grew to more than 70 within a few months.
Fellowship @ Grannies meets in a tea shop in Cotgrave, Nottinghamshire, every Thursday evening. It began as an after-Alpha group and is now meeting regularly for worship and fellowship.
How can your church get involved? Get hold of enough copies of Moving on in a Mission-shaped Church for your church council to read up on it, and get the discussions going.
