A Field Guide to Methodist Fresh Expressions

Could this forced decentralization propel the Church into a new missional reality?What might it look like for the church to consider new ways to reach new people in our new normal?Michael Beck and Jorge Acevedo leaders in Fresh Expressions US and Fresh Expressions Florida have released a new book called A Field Guide for Methodist Fresh Expressions. It's an excellent introduction to this missional, contextual, practical form of church planting and I'd love to recommend it to you as a timely and essential resource personally or for a group of leaders in your church as you navigate through these uncertain times and consider what the church might look like on the other side.

Practical, insightful and timely, A Field Guide to Methodist Fresh Expressions provides the reader with an immersion into the blended ecology of strengthening the local church while reaching out and meeting people where they are. This is not a church growth strategy in three easy steps book, but a make Jesus real in your community in practical ways field guide. Steeped in Methodist history and tradition, yet propelling the local church forward as vital communities of networking and connection, Beck and Acevedo provide a groundwork for beginning and sustaining thriving fresh expressions in any size church. Highly recommended to read with your leadership team to "download" together.

I’ve read most of the books out there about Fresh Expressions. This one articulated PERFECTLY not only what they are, but how we can do them. Wonderful...a must read for anyone who is a follower of Jesus.

The church has long needed to adapt its mission to the new world of the 21st century. Now in the shadow of COVID-19 we are being forced to look at the mission in new ways and Michael and Jorge lead the charge in this effort. Has this been done before? Absolutely! We see it in the mission John Wesley took on to bring the Good News of Jesus to the masses during the Wesleyan revivals. As an Anglican, Wesley wanted to reform the Church of England but that reform wasn't welcomed. So the movement went forward on its own. Today the institutional church needs to adapt an innovate or it will disappear. This work charts a course for that adaptation. Get it, Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest this map for the way the church moves forward.

Shane Claiborne writes, “We need to mine the fields of church history and find the treasures, the gems.” That's exactly what Michael Beck and Jorge Acevedo do in their newest book, A Field Guide to Methodist Fresh Expressions. Looking to early Methodism, they find a myriad of gems to help leaders start new forms of church in our rapidly changing world!

Not only filled with practical tools to move toward Fresh Expressions of church but inspiring stories and reminders of the renewal movement that gave birth to the Methodist Church. Do yourself a favor and read this with a group and pray about where God might be leading you to proclaim the faith anew for such a time as this!