60% of the British population are beyond the reach of the churches
Another quote taken from the Fresh Expressions site (see post below);

60% of the British population are beyond the reach of the churches

According to the best available research, approximately 60% of the British population are probably beyond the reach of the churches. This proportion is much higher in urban areas and among the under forties. It is increasing year by year.

Many people in this group have a belief in God; many are interested in spiritual things and in Christian spirituality. But the gap between where they are now and church is too wide to be easily crossed.

For the last decade, the church has focussed on sharing faith with 40% of the population.

This is a large and important mission field. Within it, we have become better in communicating faith and nurturing new Christians.

But it is only part of the whole population and it is a reducing proportion. If this is our only strategy for sharing faith, we will be evangelising a diminishing fringe and, overall, decline is likely to continue.

The challenge for the churches in evangelism in the next decade is therefore to develop a both-and strategy:

Both to continue our mission of sharing faith to this 40% of the population who have some church background and connection

And to develop new ways of sharing faith with the 60% of the population who are beyond the reach of the churches. This part of the strategy means developing fresh expressions of church life in a range of different ways

The church of the future will be a mixed economy. There will be traditional churches sharing faith with those on the edge and fresh expressions of church reaching out to those who know little or nothing of Christian faith.

It is towards this apparent 60% (& growing) of the population that the organic, missional church movement is aimed. Free from some of the restricting limitations of the established church this grassroots movement may be best placed to connect with these people. Are the two sides in competition? What should the established churches relationship with these 'beyond the edge' expressions be? Whichever side of the fence you are, let's hear your thoughts.

posted by alexander @ 12:58 PM    1 comments

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By  alexander, at 5:35 PM  

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Fresh Expressions website launch
Important new web site for 'Fresh Expressions' of church under the Anglican & Methodist banner has just been launched. Worth visiting.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr.Rowan Williams today launched a new website, www.freshexpressions.org.uk, and urged the Church to recognise new and exciting ways in which people can celebrate the Christian Gospel.

Speaking at Church House, Westminster, Dr. Williams told a gathering of bishops, clergy and laity that “it is clear that a number of people are without any central involvement, moving in and out of the parochial system”.

He added: “During my time in Wales I was able to see a good many examples of people being involved on the fringes of the church, and one of my key priorities as Archbishop of Canterbury is to see what the pattern of change will be like in the whole of the Church of England”.

Fresh Expressions, which is headed up by Archbishops' Missioner, Dr.Steven Croft, is an initiative of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York supported by the Methodist Council.

The website shows the extent to which "church" is no longer limited to a traditional building, a congregation and historic structures but is dynamic and changing.

Dr. Williams stressed: “Fresh Expressions responds to the question: How do we join in what God is doing in the Church of England?”

Fresh Expressions is seen as a way of putting into practice many of the recommendations explored in the recently published report Mission Shaped Church which was produced by a working party chaired by the Bishop of Maidstone, Rt.Revd Graham Cray.

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A church worth staying in?
This is from a post on Richard Sudworths blog: Imagine.

I thought I'd pass on one of the nuggets from last week's few days of study from Stuart Murray. He was doing stuff on church planting but making the very obvious point that you can't talk about church planting without addressing why people are leaving the church in their droves as we would merely be replicating churches that lose Christians. Stuart concluded with a list of characteristics that would keep people in the church:

- churches that provide space for spiritual development rather than spoon-feeding their members
- churches that focus on God rather than the minister or the programmes
- churches that offer authentic community and friendship rather than institutional forms of belonging insipid forms of fellowship

For the full post click here.

Richard closes with an important question:

I could sign up to all of the above. Question for churches is: how much do current structures, leadership spiritualities/personality profiles, training institutions and internal counter-demands mitigate against these things happening?

posted by alexander @ 10:03 AM    3 comments

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hmmm...iv gotta feeling that ineffectuality will always be replicated as long as we're trying to form something. even if that's a good thing, like a 'church that provides space for spiritual development.' as long as our understanding of church is that it's something we do, rather than what we are, we'll be hitting our head against a brick wall! if any leaders are brave enough to let go and let God take charge-however messy that process may look-the Body of Christ, and all which it means, will grow. that's easier said than done of course...
(Nice blog design by the way!)

By  Black Country Boy, at 1:10 PM  

Hi, I've just come across your site, and like the look of what you are trying to do. I've been working in West Africa, and my blog is - in part - looking at lessons learned from there for church and mission back in the UK. I look forward to following the discussion here.

By  Keith, at 10:30 AM  

Carl thanks. Like your conclusion: "as long as our understanding of church is that it's something we do, rather than what we are, we'll be hitting our head against a brick wall!" It's a subtle but crucial difference.
keith hi, yes I've been reading your blog for a little while now too! All lessons you can translate back to the uk are greatly needed.

By  alexander, at 11:34 AM  

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A simple question
The DAWN European Network conference was over a week ago now. It was a tremendous time. To read a day by day account go here and look for the first post, dated Saturday the 5th, then read upwards from there. It should give a pretty good idea of what we covered. As always it was probably the conversations over coffee and meals that was the highlight. The church is made up of living stones and nothing can replace the spiritual exchange which takes place over a shared meal.

All that I heard and picked up was once again a reflection and confirmation of the incredible paradigm shift which is taking place in the global church. The key question for us is, are we in the UK going to be humble enough to admit that we need to sit up and take notice of what God is saying and doing all around the world? A simple question but one with far reaching consequences.

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Real live researcher
Just a reminder that this is not an ordinary web-site. It is a real live story happening as you read it. It is the story of a research project being undertaken by a real person! Although I have a separate blog site which records some of the more personal day to day stuff, what happens there will obviously effect this project.

In that light here's something from Nigerian DAWN researcher Niyi Gbade I have to keep re-reading occasionally:

“Missionary research is spiritual warfare. Satan has held sway for thousands of years in many of the places we will go to, and he is not about to give up his secrets or give the kingdom of God the advantage of strategic information.
“He will try to stop you with fear, illness or other circumstances. He will try to make those who have information uncooperative. He will try to hinder you with lack of funds. He will attack you with doubt and discouragement.
“Research is not for the timid, but it can be successfully done by the meek. It is not at all easy, but it is altogether possible when it is done in the power of God, through the Holy Spirit, and for his kingdom.
“All the plans in the world will fail without that power, but…
“That is the power we have.”

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DAWN European Network conference
Currently attending the DAWN European Network conference in Switzerland in this wonderful location:



(Oh, the life of a researcher!). There are some blow by blow accounts of each day over on my own blog but on my return I will try to post some of the highlights here and will also ask one or two to write something specific for the site.

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Are you involved in church planting here in the UK?
Do you have an interest or involvement in church planting, home/house/organic/simple church, Churches that are reproducible or Church planting movements?

If so, we need your help!

We have been commissioned to carry out an extensive research project in preparation for a national church planting consultation in 2006.

Through this site we are hoping to report on, resource and encourage those involved with this emerging, grass-roots missional movement.

In the meantime we need some information from you!

Are you one of the growing number of people involved with small, organic, simple, home/house/workplace/pub church type gatherings? Do you or your group have a vision to reproduce and multiply what you are doing?

If so then it would be really helpful for us to know the following:

Who are you?

Where are you?

What are you doing?

How many are involved?

Are you connected to an existing church/denomination/network?

Many thanks for your help in this. The resulting research findings could make a major contribution to the future growth and shape of the Church in the UK.

please email your answers to research@simplechurch.co.uk

posted by alexander @ 1:20 PM    1 comments

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i'll email u as soon as i get time!

By  Black Country Boy, at 1:11 PM  

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