Evaluating Fresh Expressions: Explorations in Emerging Church : Responses to the Changing Face of Ecclesiology in the Church of England

The Fresh Expressions initiative, a joint Anglican and Methodist venture launched in 2004, has attracted increasing interest from academics, clergy and laity, yet there is very little that offers critical reflection on it. This is the natural successor to John Hull’s useful short critique in Mission- Shaped Church: a theological response, and key authors assess the impact of mission-shaped thinking and practice from a variety of angles. An impressive line up of contributors first asks what counts as a ‘fresh expression’ and who decides. Part 1 explores what postmodern ways of viewing the world means for the way churches explore truth and uncertainty, and tradition as an evolving rather than a static enterprise. Part 2 uses real examples to examines who attends ‘fresh expressions’ and what it incarnational theology looks like in practice. Part 3 considers the implications for clergy training and whether there is a case for making ‘pioneer ministry’ a discrete type. The conclusion asks whether a ‘mixed church economy’ can really work.

'Nelstrop and Percy have edited an excellent compilation of essays on the topic of what has come to be known as the "emergent" church. Having divided the book into four sections, the various essays offer both encouragement and criticism of movements in the UK that seek to establish themselves as either "fresh expressions" of church or part of the "emergent" church.'
-- Search, A Church of Ireland Journal

'This book is not so much an exploration of emerging church as a discussion and evaluation of emergent church as defined by The fresh Expressions Initiative, whcih came out of the Mission Shaped Church report presented to General Synod in February 2004. It does, however, introduce the reader to all the ifs and buts associated with attempting to create and sustain new or different ways of being church in and for our changing culture. Bearing in mind that in a recent report over 66 per cent of adults are unreceptive to attending conventional church - it's a must read!'
-- Mission Catalyst