In the cozy basement library of St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in St. Paul, Minnesota, people are gathering—not for a worship service, but for cookies, conversation, and a good movie. Movies & Chats, a budding Fresh Expression of church, is offering a warm, accessible space where faith isn’t forced but curiosity is welcome, and community is quietly taking root. Led by Dave McEachron , a covocational Episcopal priest and lifelong lover of film, the idea began with a simple question: What if watching movies and talking about them could become a way to connect with people beyond the church? That single spark has grown into something deeply resonant. With thoughtfully chosen films like Lars and the Real Girl, Whiplash, Women Talking, and Small Things Like These, the gatherings quickly gained traction—drawing 12–15 attendees at first, then growing as more locals discovered the group through MeetUp and word-of-mouth. FROM CUROSITY TO COMMUNITY “We didn’t try to make it overly spiritual,” Dave said. “We just let the movies do their work and let the conversation unfold.” Movies & Chats taps into something deeply human: our need to make meaning through story. And in a culturally vibrant, spiritually eclectic city like St. Paul—offering a welcoming space to explore life’s biggest questions through art and conversation fills a real need. This Fresh Expression isn’t trying to draw people into traditional church—it’s about meeting people where they already are, in ways that feel natural and non-threatening. As one attendee put it, “The space doesn’t feel religious, but it does feel deeply meaningful.” As David continues to experiment he hopes that shared leadership will begin to transform the group and that regular participants would start suggesting films and helping shape future gatherings. A FRESH EXPRESSION IN MOTION Movies & Chats is still taking shape, but it clearly reflects the rhythms of the Fresh Expressions journey . It began with listening—David paid attention to his own passions and the culture around him, sensing that movies could be a bridge to meaningful conversation. From there, he stepped into loving and serving, offering a space where strangers could gather safely, enjoy a shared experience, and connect without pressure. As people returned and brought friends, community began to form naturally, not through structure but through presence and trust. Now, conversations are growing deeper, participants are helping to plan events, and a sense of ownership is emerging. Though it’s early, the doorway for exploring discipleship is beginning to emerge —not through teaching, but through thoughtful dialogue and relationships formed in the warmth of the group. As Fresh Expressions reminds us, church can emerge when we follow the Spirit’s lead, practice incarnational presence, and nurture spaces that are contextual, organic, and open to what God might grow. “It’s not yet a Fresh Expression of church,” Dave admits. “But it’s a faithful experiment. We’re present. We’re paying attention. And we’re seeing something beautiful emerge.” NOT A PROGRAM - A POSTURE What makes Movies & Chats so compelling is its accessibility. It doesn’t require a worship band, a curriculum, or a marketing budget. Just a library space, a few good films, a plate of cookies, and a host willing to listen and love without an agenda. “Fresh Expressions is about forming new Christian communities with people who may never come to your church, but who are longing for community, purpose, and spiritual connection.” The story of Movies & Chats reminds us that church doesn’t have to start with preaching—it can start with popcorn and honest conversation. MORE THAN A MOVIE NIGHT Movies & Chats may have begun as a simple film discussion group, but it’s becoming something more: a space where connection forms, trust deepens, and the Spirit gently moves. In a time when many are disillusioned with institutional religion but still yearning for meaning, this Fresh Expression is opening the door to community in a way that feels authentic, relational, and doable . “The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” — Frederick Buechner Dave didn’t launch a program—he did something he loved doing, followed his curiosity, invited others in, and made space for the Spirit to do the rest. And that’s the beauty of Fresh Expressions: anyone, in any church, can do the same.
I have spent a large portion of my studies exploring visual theology, especially in the context of worship. What is the proper place of images in our devotion, and how do they communicate the Gospel message in and of themselves? When I come across an image that particularly moves me, I take notice. I was recently visiting with life-long friends from my college days. For many of those years, we lived in a tight fellowship around mission, music, conversation—and yes, around a table. Whether in a college dining hall or other mealtime moments, we shared something profoundly connective as we gathered for food and fellowship. Formed Around a Table Within hours of my visit, their daughter Anna Rose posted a print of a piece of art she created, and I was immediately taken by its composition. The piece is entitled A Place at the Table , and it captured my attention at once. (She is a gifted artist and entrepreneur, and I would commend her work for your consideration: https://www.goodseedcraftco.com .) It is easy to feel isolated, disconnected, and alone in this chaotic world. We have more means of communication than ever, and yet, as U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek H. Murthy has reported, we are living through an epidemic of isolation and loneliness. He writes: People began to tell me they felt isolated, invisible, and insignificant. Even when they couldn’t put their finger on the word “lonely,” time and time again, people of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds, from every corner of the country, would tell me, “I have to shoulder all of life’s burdens by myself,” or “if I disappear tomorrow, no one will even notice.” (There is an 82-page report on this epidemic of isolation available here ) A solitary existence lessens us and detaches us from true community and connection. All of us, at some level, are wired for relationship. We can recall the creation account in Genesis 2:18, where God says, “It is not good that humanity should be alone.” We were created with a deep need to belong—to family, to community. In this broken and complicated world, that need often becomes distorted, and we try to fill it with other things. The pandemic accelerated this, as have social media and now artificial intelligence. God With Us Though Christmas may be in the rear-view mirror, we would do well to remember its central message: Emmanuel—God with us. The entire biblical narrative is anchored in this truth. God created us in His image for fellowship with Him. We fractured that relationship through disobedience, and the rest of Scripture is fundamentally about restoration—about God drawing us back into the relationships we were made for, with Him and with one another. The biblical promise, ultimately, is the promise of God’s presence. Jesus embodied this reality through a ministry of with-ness. He was with people regardless of their allegiances, social status, gender, faith, or lack thereof. He was with sinners and tax collectors, traitors and the infirmed, Roman soldiers, uneducated fishermen, and learned scholars alike. A Place at the Table Many of the stories of Jesus unfold around food and shared meals, which brings us back to A Place at the Table. The artwork captures a vision of community gathered around a meal—perhaps strangers, perhaps lifelong friends, perhaps family. This is the heart of the Dinner Church mission. It portrays a table where lives are nourished—body, soul, mind, and spirit. Some recent statistics suggest a renewed interest in Christianity, and I hope and pray that is true. Still, there are many who will never darken the door of a Sunday morning church service. For them, it is unfamiliar terrain—something they do not understand or feel equipped to navigate. Honestly, I do not believe that is what Jesus intended. The Church is not a building, nor is it confined to a Sunday morning experience. It is something more. I’ve found myself saying this often lately: the Church is a community of faith—people doing life together with Kingdom purpose and mission. It is a 24/7 reality, a place of life, hope, comfort, and peace in Christ Jesus. While some may hesitate to enter a traditional worship service, many will make room to share a meal and experience genuine community when given the invitation. This is why the Dinner Church mission is so essential. It is a place of connection with Almighty God—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Everyone is welcome. Everyone belongs. Everyone has a place at the table.
In Lincoln, New Hampshire, church doesn’t always start with a steeple or a sanctuary. Sometimes it starts in a lift line. Sometimes it starts over hot coffee. Sometimes it begins when two strangers realize they’re chasing the same joy down the same slope. Loon Mountain Ministry (LMM) is a Fresh Expression of Church that seeks to relationally live out the truth of Jesus Christ within the community at Loon Mountain Resort. For more than 30 years, LMM has served the spiritual and community needs of skiers, snowboarders, and vacationers who gather in the mountain resort area—many of whom would never attend a traditional service. Founded with a vision inspired by God, the ministry’s mission is simple and compelling: love God, serve the community, and enjoy the mountains. LMM offers church services, outreach, and spiritual care directly in the ski resort setting, making faith accessible within a culture shaped by recreation, seasonal rhythms, and shared experience. This is what it looks like when the Church stops waiting for people to come—and instead shows up where people already are. The mountains create a shared language One of the most remarkable dynamics of Loon Mountain Ministry is how naturally the mountain creates connection. People who might never speak to each other in any other setting find themselves laughing, waiting, and celebrating side-by-side. Marcus Corey, a pioneer and ski resort chaplain, describes it this way: “Anytime you enter the mountains it creates a shared common experience. ... it’s one of the only places where a billionaire and a bum are high-fiving each other stoked to be together…” Fresh Expressions leaders often talk about starting with listening, presence, and relationships —and LMM is a living example. The mountain becomes an environment where people are already open, already present, already sharing life. The Church doesn’t have to manufacture community. It can simply join what’s already happening. And that shared experience becomes the soil for spiritual conversation. “Shared common experiences are what create relationships and relationships are the rails in which the gospel can penetrate into someone’s personal life…” - Marcus Corey From the summit to Main Street: a thrift store and coffee shop that sustains mission Loon Mountain Ministry isn’t only present on the slopes. It’s also building tangible points of connection in town—especially through a venture that’s deeply relevant for churches exploring sustainability and innovation. Marcus says plainly: “…our ministry is supported by a thrift and coffee shop.” This matters for pastors and denominational leaders who are asking real questions: How do we create spaces that build community and support ministry? What might it look like to combine hospitality, presence, and sustainability? How can “church” take shape through everyday, relational spaces? A thrift store and coffee shop is more than a creative idea—it’s a missional platform . It’s a place where people naturally gather, trust forms over time, and faith can be encountered in the midst of daily life. It’s also a model of how entrepreneurial imagination can serve the mission rather than distract from it. And it offers a surprisingly simple invitation: “If you’re a coffee drinker please come up and have coffee coffee with us." Why this is doable: start with what people already love Loon Mountain Ministry didn’t begin as a complicated strategy. It began as a faithful response to a real context. The ministry bridges the gap between recreation and worship by recognizing that God is already present in creation and community—and that spiritual openness often emerges through shared experiences. Marcus describes his calling as: “I’ve really been on a life long journey of making the Creator known in his creation." This is the heart of Fresh Expressions: discovering the places where the Gospel can be embodied naturally —in networks, passions, third spaces, and everyday life. Whether your community gathers around mountains, music, meals, art, fitness, or coffee, the invitation is the same: pay attention to what people already love, and ask what it looks like to follow Jesus there. “…you don’t have to be a skier you just have to love Jesus and be willing to follow him where he takes you…” - Marcus Corey
