Anglican Communion News Service - Digest News

Ground breaking research from the Sheffield Centre has revealed that Fresh Expressions in the Diocese of Liverpool are growing faster, deeper and wider than was previously thought. The research revealed at a major diocesan conference on growth this Saturday shows that Fresh Expressions are now a major part of the growth of the diocese.

These Fresh Expressions involve significant numbers of all ages in both rural and urban settings with forms of church that reach into the wider community. The research also highlights and increasing number of maturing expressions of church with a sacramental base.

The research reveals that:-
 

• There are 78 expressions – nearly 36% of our church communities are fresh expressions of church
• 54 expressions have been planted in the last 5 or 6 years showing this is a growing trend
• They have a membership of 1679 adults and 1027 children
• For every one committed Christian involved in these types of church four new people have been attracted.
• They cover a range of locations across our diocese with 25% in challenging urban districts, 20% in suburban areas and just under 20% in rural settings
• They are reaching beyond the church community with significant numbers coming who don’t have any church background at all. The figures in fact show that 41% of members have never been to church while a further 30% come because of their dissatisfaction with traditional church
• They are significant and maturing expressions of church 46% had communion services – 20% have held baptisms
• Over half of these expressions are led by talented lay people.

The independent research was carried out by George Lings and his team from the Sheffield Centre over three months earlier this year. It was conducted through phone interviews with leaders across the diocese. The research excluded some expressions that the researchers felt could not be considered true expressions of church but they were surprised by the breadth and depth of the results.

The diocese of Liverpool has long been considered a leader in this area and this research has confirmed the significance that Fresh Expressions is making in our approach to what the Archbishop of Canterbury calls the “mixed economy of church”.

The Bishop of Liverpool, Bishop James Jones told conference “the pattern that is emerging in this diocese is that we are committed to the inherited church with its visible network of over 200 parishes and also to pioneering with nearly 80 Fresh Expressions of church which are having a genuine impact in reaching a new generation of people”.

Linda Jones, Team Leader for Church Growth said “the Diocese of Liverpool has been committed to growth in both inherited and Fresh Expressions of church. The fact that official figures and this research have shown that this is starting to bear fruit is something we thank God for. It is clearly time to regard Fresh Expressions as a serious, sustainable form of church. ”

George Lings added “this research shows a solid base for the continuing support of Fresh Expressions as part of the mixed economy of church. What was striking was that the people we talked to were encouraged that they were being taken seriously”

This research has been recognised as having national implications with the Church Commissioners funding the Sheffield Centre to do similar work in other dioceses.

The Growth Conference was part of the Diocese of Liverpool’s ongoing commitment to the Bishop’s Growth Agenda. This was prompted by a Presidential Address to Diocesan Synod in 2009 where Bishop James challenged the diocese to reflect on 3 questions.

1)           How can we grow numerically and spiritually?
2)           How can we serve our communities better?
3)           How we can rekindle our love for God?

In a keynote address to the conference Bishop James announced “It is a source of thankfulness to God that I can tell you today we are a growing Diocese. In both children and adults, across the entire week, during the week, Sunday by Sunday ad growing faster, wider and deeper than we thought.”

Notes to editors 

The full research is attached or can be downloaded at www.liverpool.anglican.org/growth 

For interviews and further comment talk to Stuart Haynes, Media Manager 0151 705 2150 07534218122

Fresh Expressions is a term given for a new form of church that seeks to reach out in different ways according to the needs of the community. It includes churches in cafes; churches aimed at children, churches in pubs, shops and places where you wouldn’t expect to find church. In the Diocese of Liverpool we see them as complementing more traditional forms of church and worship.

Within the vision of a “sustainable, led and transforming Christian presence in every community in the Diocese”, Bishop James has set a clear priority on numerical growth. Outlining his vision – referred to as the Bishop’s Growth Agenda - in his Presidential Address to the November Diocesan Synod 2009 he talked about three L’s - Love, Leadership and Locality.

We believe that if this plan succeeds we should see:

• Growing numbers of people connected with our churches
• Growing numbers of people on nurture courses
• Growing numbers of people coming into leadership positions
• An increasing proportion of children being educated in church schools
• A increasing number of parishes being released from debilitating revenue deficits and financial constraints
• An increasing number of expressions of church in the workplace, in social spaces and in social networks

The Sheffield Centre is the Church Army's research unit. Founded in 1997, the Sheffield Centre plays a vital research role; their task is to observe and communicate what God is doing in mission to the wider church. Like offering seeds for others to sow.

They research church planting and evangelism to post-Christian culture, and other things that come their way... leaving room for God to surprise them! they offer consultancy and resources in these areas too.