A Fresh Expression is a form of church for our changing culture established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church. This missional movement empowers laity and clergy alike to create new places for new people to follow Jesus.
Fresh Expressions is a movement which cultivates new forms of church alongside existing congregations in a way which is mutually beneficial and life-giving. However, fresh expressions are not merely an outreach, ministry, or class of the existing congregation. Rather, mature fresh expressions are disciple-making communities rooted and grounded in the resurrected Christ. Fresh expressions are church.
Examples of fresh expressions include Dinner Church, Messy Church, and a wide variety of intentional Christian faith communities gathered around a shared affinity or social network. Gatherings are often small and typically meet in homes and neighborhood gathering spots.
The process for forming a fresh expression of church is: Listening, Loving/Serving, Building Community, Exploring Discipleship, Forming Church, and beginning the process again to form additional fresh expressions.
The New Church Development Team of the New Mexico Annual Conference has established a grant to support local churches in their endeavor of starting fresh expressions. Grants of up to $500 may be awarded to support this work. You may submit the following application to the New Church Development Team through NCD chairperson, Blossom Matthews: email