Faith Unbound: Building Community through Adventure and Connection
In Monticello, Minnesota, a fresh and inviting expression of church is transforming what it means to connect, engage, and experience God’s love. The Men’s FX Group, led by outdoorsman Dale Stanger and supported by Community United Methodist Church (CUMC), reaches men who might never set foot inside a traditional church but are eager for genuine relationships. Through events like axe throwing, cornhole tournaments, and hunting retreats, the Men’s FX Group demonstrates that church can happen anywhere—and that anyone can play a role in this mission.
Monticello is a small, close-knit city ideal for grassroots gatherings, making it the perfect setting for the Men’s FX Group. With a mix of families, working professionals, and retirees, many of whom connect through local activities rather than formal gatherings, the area reflects the target audience Dale had in mind. Studies show that men, particularly in rural and suburban settings, may not actively attend traditional services but are open to relaxed, faith-based activities. The Men’s FX Group fills this gap, bringing a welcoming space where men feel they belong.
“The intention is to reach people that don’t want to go to church. I want to show we can have a good time and that God is with us.” —Dale Stanger, Men’s FX Group Leader
Addressing Isolation and Creating Fellowship
Community programs that encourage connection and support are especially impactful, as recent research shows increased social isolation among middle-aged men. The Men’s FX Group doesn’t just offer social opportunities; it meets a deeper need for community. As Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” The gatherings foster trust, friendship, and personal growth, addressing isolation while providing both spiritual support and mental well-being. This Fresh Expression has become a vital community where men share life, struggles, and faith in a way that feels natural.
The Fresh Expressions Journey in Action
The Men’s FX Group exemplifies the Fresh Expressions journey: listening to community needs, creating a welcoming environment, and building authentic relationships. Community UMC in Monticello, known for its active community engagement, created this group as part of its mission to be “church anywhere.” By prioritizing relationships and presence over formality, the group aligns with Fresh Expressions’ principles of contextual and inclusive ministry. This incarnational approach, where the church exists within the lives of those it serves, allows men to encounter faith in familiar, comfortable spaces.
Fresh Expressions groups are designed to meet people in these comfortable places, whether in bowling alleys, sporting events, or outdoor gatherings. As St. Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words.” This Fresh Expression shows how fellowship and faith thrive outside traditional structures, revealing that church can be anywhere, and anyone can embody the church.
“I’ve asked the same five guys to every event and they haven’t come.”
Stanger’s response: “Keep asking them.”
A Call to Try Something New
The Men’s FX Group in Monticello proves that ministry can thrive in unique ways when we look beyond traditional models. Starting a Fresh Expression doesn’t require a grand plan or a big budget; it begins with listening, loving, and creating spaces where people can experience God authentically. Whether you’re a pastor, church leader, or just someone with a heart for your community, consider how a Fresh Expression could look in your context.
Reflect on your community’s needs, gather a few people, and begin a journey to build a new kind of church. Church leaders and congregations everywhere can follow the Men’s FX Group’s example and start a Fresh Expression—one that meets people where they are and invites them into a vibrant, life-giving faith journey.
Snapshot of a Fresh Expression of Church
What is the Fresh Expression called?
Men’s FX Group
Where is it?
Monticello, MN
Who is it for?
Men’s FX Group is aimed at men, particularly those who are not currently connected to a church or are hesitant to attend traditional church services. It’s also for church members who are encouraged to bring their unchurched friends.
What do they do?
The group organizes a variety of activities, such as axe throwing, bowling, cornhole tournaments, cookouts, and attending professional sporting events (like Minnesota Twins baseball). Events are held monthly, with larger retreats or gatherings planned quarterly. While the events are not overtly religious, they include prayer and sometimes a brief devotion.
Who is the Pioneer?
Dale Stanger
Where can I learn more?
Community United Methodist Church Facebook Page
Community UMC fresh expression gives men opportunity to connect, belong
