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Why Fresh Expressions

Helping your church light up their world.

Fresh Expressions helps pastors and leaders equip their church to reach more people for Christ.

Holly Beeler (left) and Carey Sims chat after Sunday morning worship at the Sims home in Fredericksburg, Va.

The fact is, about 60% of Americans aren’t going to church. That means the Sunday service, even with concert-style worship and its trendy coffee bar, will only ever attract less than half of the population.

Yet, the vast majority of church resources are poured into these prevailing forms of church.

Fresh Expressions makes space for denominational leaders and pastors to use both traditional services as well as innovative forms of church to live out Christ’s mission. One does not replace the other, but rather creates a mutual benefit for both—a “mixed economy of church.”

Equipping the Church in North America

80

Denominations & Networks

20,000+

Leaders Equipped

40,000+

Books Distributed

Definitions

What is a “fresh expression?”

What we call a fresh expression is, in its simplest form, a pattern for believers to share their faith in their everyday lives.

Fresh expressions are about getting creative in your church’s reach. A group starts when a Christian sees those already in his or her circles with a spiritual lens. It’s asking the simple question, “How can I help my friends connect with God?” Fresh expressions form where mutual interests meet hearts open to opportunities to connect on faith matters.

Core Pillars

Foundations of a Fresh Expression

We believe that inspiring the people in your church to pay attention to the people around them, invite connection, and spark conversations will open up opportunities to foster dynamic faith communities.

Missional

Our aim is to reach those who don’t go to church.

Contextual

Mutual interests create a bond for these groups.

Formational

Our purpose is to grow mature disciples of Christ.

Ecclesial

Those in a group function as church for each other.

Roots Of Our Movement

For more than 20 years, the global Fresh Expressions has helped established churches reach new people with new kinds of Christian communities.

Gannon and Carey Sims, co-directors of The Center, host a home worship service in their Fredericksburg, Va. backyard on April 11, 2021.
Looking forward

Starting something new.

Meet the Leadership

Practitioners, thinkers, and normal church leaders who inform our movement.

Meet Our Partners

Denominations, networks, seminaries,
and congregations who expand the movement.