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How did Pastor David Carter go from skeptic to passionate advocate for Fresh Expressions of Church? Today, his revitalized congregation includes Adventure Church, a Running Club, and more.
Tune in as Heather Jallad unpacks David’s journey and reveals how these innovative gatherings are transforming both his church and the wider community.
David Carter has been the Associate Pastor at Faith Church in Bellefonte, PA since 2009. Throughout 2023/2024 he’s been walking alongside laity in his church to launch a network of Fresh Expressions. They’ve experimented with things like Adventure Church, ATV Church, Running Club, Softball, Writing Club, Volunteer Club, Teen Time, and more. In his free time, David can be found with his wife and 3 kids at the local climbing gym or camping at a local state park, so he can drive home for church Sunday morning.
In season 5 of the Fresh Expressions podcast, we’re exploring the loneliness epidemic that is sweeping across North America and learning how new kinds of Christian community can help.
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Interview Summary
“Who cares how you count it? It’s about the people, not the numbers.” – David Carter
“Who cares how you count it?” This question posed by David Carter in a candid podcast episode encapsulates the transformative ethos of Fresh Expressions—a movement aimed at redefining church and community engagement. Hosted by Heather Jillad, Fresh Expressions’ Director of Training, this episode delves into the practicalities and spiritual nuances of combating loneliness through innovative church practices.
David Carter serves at Faith Church in Pennsylvania, where he has embraced Fresh Expressions to foster community outside traditional church walls. With a personal and professional background rich in community building, David shares both successes and learning curves encountered along the way.
Combating Social Isolation with Church Outreach
Heather Jillad sets the stage by highlighting the church’s role in combating the loneliness epidemic prevalent in modern society. The discussion emphasizes the need for churches to extend their reach beyond traditional settings to forge genuine connections. Heather underscores the importance of adapting to a world where traditional Sunday morning services may not be feasible for everyone due to varying schedules.
“Fresh Expressions is about meeting people where they are. That may never, ever come into your building.” Heather Jillad
David Carter’s Journey from Skepticism to Advocacy
David shares his transformative journey from skepticism to becoming a proponent of Fresh Expressions. Initially unsure about the movement, he describes how a compelling vision presented at a United Methodist training session opened his eyes: “There are people in our world who just aren’t going to go into traditional church for one reason or another,” he reflects, highlighting the church’s potential to reach the unchurched through non-traditional means. This shift in perspective was crucial for David, allowing him to embrace new methods of community engagement and spiritual leadership.
“There are people in our world who just aren’t going to go into traditional church for one reason or another.” – David Carter
Navigating Challenges and Celebrating Successes in New Church Forms
Implementing Fresh Expressions comes with its challenges and successes, as David illustrates through examples from his ministry. He recounts the development of a church softball team and a hiking group, initiatives that successfully fostered community and addressed individual spiritual needs outside the conventional church environment. However, he also candidly shares difficulties, such as the initial struggle to understand how these less traditional gatherings could be recognized as legitimate expressions of church life. “How does this count? How does this…what’s the fruit from this that I can put on a piece of paper?” David initially questioned, highlighting the tension between traditional metrics of success and the qualitative impact of these new expressions.
The Significance of Adaptability and Community Engagement in Ministry
A significant focus of the podcast is the need for churches to be adaptable and to genuinely listen to the needs of their communities. David discusses the evolution of his approach, moving from a metrics-focused perspective to valuing the journey and the relationships formed along the way. “Who cares how you count it?… We actually have the freedom to live in tension,” he states, reflecting on the liberating shift away from stringent success metrics towards a more fluid, responsive approach to ministry that prioritizes people over numbers.
This episode of the Fresh Expressions podcast beautifully encapsulates the evolving role of the church in addressing modern societal challenges, particularly the loneliness epidemic. Through Heather Jillad and David Carter’s conversation, listeners gain a profound understanding of how churches can and must extend their reach beyond traditional walls to meet people where they are. Their conversation not only sheds light on the practicalities of such initiatives but also inspires a reevaluation of what church success should look like in today’s rapidly changing world. By embracing flexibility, listening deeply to community needs, and valuing relationships over metrics, this episode encourages us all to rethink how we can live out our faith in more inclusive, impactful ways.
Reflection Questions
- What does community mean to you, and how do you see it manifesting in your own life?
- How can churches more effectively address the loneliness epidemic in their local contexts?
- What barriers exist that might prevent people from feeling part of a community, and how can these be overcome?
- What role do personal relationships play in your spiritual journey?
- Can you think of a time when an unconventional approach to church made a positive impact on someone’s life?
- How does the idea of church as a community beyond walls challenge or affirm your current practices?
