by Rev. Jennifer Burns
During a training on October 26th, participants discussed our denominational mission statement: to make Disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. One important part of the Great Commission is missing from the statement: “Go.” This was one of the ways that Pastors Michael and Jill Beck challenged participants to reimagine ministry in a new, yet ancient, approach currently dubbed “Fresh Expressions of Church.”
Dozens of United Methodists from Cal-Pac gathered with the Becks to learn, be inspired, and begin to stretch their imaginations. They were both lay and clergy, both large and small congregations. They were ethnically and theologically diverse. Yet all are hungry to engage in innovative ministry to connect with our neighbors and Christ. Fresh Expressions is not a cookie-cutter approach, but a movement of innovative adventurers who seek to embody the Gospel in contextually appropriate ways with their communities. Because of this, Fresh Expressions remains flexible, adaptive, and relevant for all of these diverse perspectives.
The buzz of conversation echoed through the room as participants wrestled with challenging questions like What is Church? Where do people gather in my community? How can we reorient ourselves to this new way of being Church?
Participants in Saturday’s training left with a questionnaire about what Next Steps they’d like to see. You’re invited to participate in this same survey! Follow this link to connect to small groups, share ideas for a next training, ask for prayer for where God is leading your ministry, and more! If you missed the training and want to learn more, you can find out more including free lectures and webinars, by following Micahel Beck on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook.
- See where you and your people already connect with and/or resonate with your community
- Discover who the “people of peace” are in the micro-communities, spaces, and places you inhabit
- Partner with People of Peace in a journey of loving, serving, forming Community, and exploring Discipleship with their community.
We ended where we began, with a challenge to “Go.” Rev. Dr. Michael Beck challenged us in Cal-Pac to “ ‘Go’ cultivate communal life in Jesus in every nook and cranny of life!”
