Around the world, countless people find themselves disconnected or disengaged from traditional church life. For some, simply stepping through church doors feels unfamiliar or intimidating; for others, established religious gatherings simply don’t resonate with their everyday experiences.
Recognizing this widening gap, followers of Jesus are developing innovative ways to authentically connect with individuals who remain on the margins or completely outside the reach of traditional church models
At its heart, FX challenges us to reconsider what it means to be the church, urging us to prioritize mission and meaningful relationships rather than merely hosting worship gatherings.
One compelling example we can learn from is the Fresh Expressions (FX) movement. Launched in the United Kingdom in the 1990s, FX intentionally engages those who wouldn’t typically enter a conventional church setting. This innovative approach has blossomed internationally, inspiring movements across Germany, South Africa, Australia, and beyond. At its heart, FX challenges us to reconsider what it means to be the church, urging us to prioritize mission and meaningful relationships rather than merely hosting worship gatherings.
Starting with Mission, Not Worship
The foundational shift of FX is beginning with mission rather than worship services. Rather than expecting people to enter the church, pioneers intentionally engage communities, forming relationships and serving their needs. Over time, genuine discipleship emerges, shaping culturally relevant expressions of worship. For example, in London, the Sanctuary community intentionally reaches young professionals by creating spaces focused on spirituality, justice, and leadership. Instead of initially branding itself explicitly as ‘church’, Sanctuary attracts individuals curious about these areas, subsequently leading them toward Jesus, the ultimate guide in each sphere of life.
Similarly, across the UK, various FX communities reach niche audiences such as surfers, car enthusiasts, and environmental activists by embedding themselves deeply within these subcultures. These communities prioritize authentic relationships and shared passions, allowing church to organically arise from within the contexts people already inhabit.
Five Core Values of Vibrant Missional Communities
Research by Beth Keith for the Church Army identified five core values vital to successful FX communities:
- Community: Relationships and genuine fellowship are central. Church functions as a family, often providing a crucial sense of belonging, especially for young adults or individuals from fragmented backgrounds.
- Authenticity: Honesty, transparency, and real-life conversations replace rigid adherence to right answers. Leaders journey with people through the messiness of life, emphasizing shared vulnerability over doctrinal correctness.
- Doubt and Questioning: FX communities intentionally create safe spaces for expressing doubt and wrestling openly with faith questions. Rather than avoiding difficult topics, leaders embrace them as part of spiritual growth.
- Spirituality: Worship and spiritual experiences are flexible and culturally resonant. Instead of traditional services, FX communities cultivate spaces where participants authentically encounter God through creative, experiential practices.
- Adaptability to Change: Acknowledging constant transition, FX churches build supportive structures and emphasize relational strength, crucially adapting as community members move or enter new life stages.
Church functions as a family, often providing a crucial sense of belonging, especially for young adults or individuals from fragmented backgrounds.
These values, consistently evident across diverse contexts, enable FX to thrive in varied global settings.
Integrating Mission and Discipleship
George Lings explains that mission and church are two inseparable elements essential to Fresh Expressions.
‘Neither element replaces the other; both work with the other; developing both elements is essential.’
Authentic FX communities resist importing pre-made models, instead allowing worship forms to naturally emerge from deep community engagement and discipleship. Practically, this involves careful listening, patient relationship-building, and intentional spiritual conversations before organizing public worship. FX communities also prioritize empowering new believers, equipping them to take responsibility for leadership and ministry roles.
Lessons from Sanctuary Westminster
Sanctuary in central London exemplifies effective FX practices. Its approach prioritizes justice initiatives as missional gateways, such as campaigns for financial transparency and homelessness support. Sanctuary actively invites seekers to meaningful, justice-oriented activities, naturally leading to spiritual conversations about Jesus, the ultimate advocate of justice.
Central to Sanctuary’s discipleship is a structured ‘Rhythm of Life’, comprising daily prayer and reflection, weekly acts of kindness, monthly coaching conversations, and annual retreats and mission opportunities. This rhythm guides individuals from initial engagement through deeper spiritual maturity, fostering robust, Jesus-centered community life.
The rhythm integrates discipleship with mission, ensuring that community members continuously engage outwardly in mission-driven activities while growing inwardly in their spiritual journey. Through practices like justice groups and coaching conversations, Sanctuary maintains an active and ongoing mission posture, avoiding inward stagnation.
Practical Insights for Fresh Expression Pioneers
FX pioneers are encouraged to avoid certain pitfalls:
- Do not copy an existing FX ‘off-the-shelf’; discern context-specific approaches.
- Begin missionally, investing significant time in listening, loving, and serving.
- Prioritize clarity around your community’s mission to reach the unchurched.
- Empower early disciples by identifying their gifts and involving them in ministry leadership.
In addition, pioneers are advised to keep FX communities intentionally simple, especially for those pioneering part-time, thereby maintaining sustainable and reproducible practices.
An Invitation to Global Churches
FX reminds us that the church’s essence is mission-shaped, relational, and adaptive. Regardless of geographical or cultural context, the call remains clear: engage authentically, disciple intentionally, and worship creatively. Could embracing FX values transform your community’s missional effectiveness?
Regardless of geographical or cultural context, the call remains clear: engage authentically, disciple intentionally, and worship creatively.
Reflecting on your context
- How could prioritizing community and authenticity transform your current approach?
- In what ways can you intentionally create spaces for doubt and spiritual exploration?
- What practical steps can your community take today to connect deeply with unreached people groups?
Let us embrace this creative reimagining of church, continually inspired by the mission and discipleship heart of Christ, who calls us outward to every community and person, near and far.
For more information on Fresh Expressions of Church, watch The Lausanne Movement Podcast Interview with Mark Williamson here: Forming Disciple-Making Churches and Christlike Leaders with Mark Williamson