A good friend of mine pointed me to a new initiative in England between the Methodist Church and the Church of England, called Fresh Expressions. It seems to be a bold step in the right direction and holds promise for a revitalized faith experience in the UK. Fresh Expressions described themselves as follows:A fresh expression is a form of church for our changing culture, established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church. It will come into being through principles of listening, service, incarnational mission and making disciples. It will have the potential to become a mature expression of church shaped by the gospel and the enduring marks of the church and for its cultural context.
There is another church in the UK that fits this bill perfectly: Carmel Christian Centre in Bristol, a ministry led by Pastors Gerri and Michelle di Somma. It is by far one the healthiest and vibrant ministries I have observed in Europe. The Di Somma's steadfast faith, enduring love and consistent desire for Gospel relevance are a witness of the transforming work of God's Spirit in the UK.
Links:
Fresh Expressions: http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/
Carmel Ministries: http://www.carmelcentre.org/church/
