Church Army funds new Fresh Expressions post

27 July 2006

Fresh Expressions has today welcomed the announcement that the Church Army has agreed to fund a new post to support an online guide that will help develop new ways of being church.

The online guide will be established as a partnership between Church Army and Fresh Expressions, and is an innovative approach to sharing wisdom and insights from across the church. It will represent the first time such technology has been used in the Church of England.

The investment will allow for the recruitment of an editor who will encourage the development of learning networks and manage the content of the guide. The post will be funded for five years, taking the project beyond 2009 which is the current life expectancy of the Fresh Expressions Team.

The Editor will be a member of the research team who contributed in a major way to the groundbreaking report , and will also be a member of the Fresh Expressions Core Team.

Working to many of the principles that drive the Internet phenomenon of blogging, the guide will allow people associated with Fresh Expressions to learn lessons from each other about how to pioneer a fresh expression of church.

"In allowing people associated with Fresh Expressions to lead the conversation, it helps us drive forward with good practice", said Dr. Steven Croft, Archbishops' Missioner.

"We are delighted with this developing partnership with Church Army who, like us, feel it is vital to encourage a forum where we can gather experience, thoughts and ideas. We look forward to an even closer working relationship over the next three years." he added.

Available in the autumn, the resource is designed for a range of users; from people wanting to get started through to trainers, researchers and pioneers. It will chart the progress of a fresh expression of church , sharing insights with the user at every stage along the way towards maturity, sustainability and continued effectiveness.

Commenting on the decision to make the appointment, Captain Philip Johanson, Chief Secretary of Church Army said, "This is a sign of the continued evidence of the commitment on the part of Church Army to be identified and involved with the fresh expressions of church agenda. Having already seconded a Church Army Evangelist to the Fresh Expressions Team this new appointment is further development of our growing partnership."

Fresh Expressions is an initiative of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York supported by the Methodist Council. The aim is to resource mission through fresh expressions of church alongside traditional churches in every region.