New year begins with flurry of Fresh Expressions!

God is moving big time in the Indiana Conference as we begin 2024. One particular area is churches creating new faith communities. Besides several new churches being started around the Conference, there is a flurry of Fresh Expressions of church being launched. Fresh Expressions are smaller gatherings of people that meet regularly, typically outside the church building, with the intention of engaging persons who don’t regularly participate in church. Common forms are dinner church, Messy Church, and affinity groups.

This week at least three United Methodist Churches in Indiana launched their very first Fresh Expressions–Chandler UMC in the Southwest District, Petersville UMC in the Southeast District, and Lawrence UMC in the Central District. Chandler UMC, led by Rev. Christena Peohlein, launched The Beacon dinner church with 22 in attendance, some from outside the church. Lawrence’s pastor, Rev. Kimberly Tyler, said her church’s new dinner church, called “Winner, Winner, We Gather for Dinner,” is going “Great!!!” More UMCs are launching Fresh Expressions in the coming months, like Stidham UMC in the Northwest District. It is launching a “Vintage” Messy Church February 8th. Please keep these efforts in your prayers!

The Indiana Conference is one of the sponsors of our denomination’s first national gathering on Fresh Expressions. Called “Futuring Forward:  The Reawakening of People Called Methodist,” this event is being held February 7-9, 2024, at Charlotte, North Carolina. Members from Indiana UMCs receive an $80 discount on their registrations. (Contact me for details.) It’s not too late to sign up! Our Conference also is holding information sessions on the Fresh Expressions model and our team would love to talk with folks interested in starting a Fresh Expression. These free sessions are being held the third Thursday of January, February, and March via Zoom, from 7pm-8pm (Eastern). (Contact me for the Zoom link.)

So, in 2024, is God calling your church to reach and disciple people unlikely to enter its building? Is God prompting you to launch a Fresh Expression of church? Pray about it!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

God shows up at Christmas…

Faith United Methodist Church in Fort Wayne, where I’m a member, holds a “Food for the Soul” dinner church the 2^nd and 4^th Thursdays of each month.  The reason we hold them is two-fold:  To share Christ’s love with strangers and neighbors over a meal.  And, ultimately to create a faith community where people are growing in love with one another and Christ.  I invite you into last night’s meal…

• Forty people of all colors and ages.  Is that a record number?  
• They straggle in over a twenty-minute period.
• The smell of bodies mixes with the smell of roasted pork and chicken.
• We begin with a “Tell your neighbor they’re beautiful!”  People do it and smile and laugh.  
• We pray for the meal and our time together.
• Carla and her table goes through the serving line first because her birthday is tomorrow.  
• Faith’s table hosts and our guests chat as they eat at tables decorated for Christmas. 

• I interrupt the conversations after about ten minutes.  
• Even though the gym is a cold 64 degrees, I turn the noisy heater off so people can hear me.
• “Any of you receive a Christmas present?”  Hands go up.  
• We then talk about the idea of blessing others, and I point to the verse on the tables, “It is more blessed to give than receive.” Acts 20:35
• I describe a time when I was blessed.  I had injured my leg and was to have an MRI.  It was during the pandemic and it dawned on me halfway there that I had forgotten a mask, and masks were required.  Returning home for a mask would make me late.  What to do?  I’ll just stop at a store on the way and buy one.  I hobbled up to its entrance and read on the door, “Masks required in the store.”  Ugh!  Stuck! A woman coming up to the entrance sees my demeanor and asks if she can help.  I explain that I need a mask.  She says she has a new one in her bag and hands it to me.  An angel? I am amazed at the thoughtfulness of the stranger.
• Blessed!  We are called to bless others.
• I share how since I’ve arrived tonight people have demonstrated a giving spirit, blessing others.
• A guest who was at our food pantry earlier in the day shared with me that he had made a donation.
• Another guest showed me the Bible she just picked up from our free “giveaway” area.  She said she has a Bible but loves to give them to others.
• A neighborhood child offered to sing a song for us.  Together we sing “Jingle Bells” and then a request for “Amazing Grace.”
• We sing “Happy Birthday” to Carla. I ask if she wants to say anything.  She says, “I’m 19 and this is the best birthday ever!”  Wow!
• Everyone is given a note that says, “Thank you for blessing me!”  We encourage them to write a note to someone that has blessed them and then give it to that person.
• I am handed one from a guest our church recently helped.  “My cats and I would be on the street if it weren’t for your help with my rent.”  Her words of thankfulness bless me!
• We hand out blank prayer cards and invite anyone who needs prayer to write a note.  One guest writes that she is struggling with mental illness, addiction, and grief and begins rehab tomorrow. A sacred request for prayer. I pray with her.
• Everyone’s encouraged to go back for seconds.  And after an hour-and-fifteen minutes, we start cleaning up.
• The last to leave is a regular guest who lives in his car.  Even though our space was cold, it was warmer than his car will be tonight. We wish him and the others God’s blessings as they leave.
• We take down our signs and finish the dishes.  
• Another Food for the Soul. God once again showed up.
• Emmanuel!

May God show up at your church this Christmas as well. May Christ’s love be experienced! Emmanuel!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director for Church Development

Bibles, Bikes, Beer, and Bruises…

Pastors Mark Harmon and Adam Speicher

“If they won’t come to our churches, let’s take church to them!” And that’s exactly what Adam Speicher and Mark Harmon have done. These two pastors of three small churches started a new Fresh Expression called “Bibles, Bikes, Beer, and Bruises.” It’s for persons who like motorcycles and beer and who have experienced bruises in life. It’s for folks who don’t frequent churches for whatever reason, but who are interested in learning about the healing power of a personal relationship with Jesus Christ in a place that is unconventional, where you don’t have to fear of being judged.

Bibles, Bikes, Beer, and Bruises, which launched on Wednesday, February 3, 2021, meets from 6:00-7:00pm every Wednesday at Polsinelli’s, a bar in Logansport. Adam and Mark shared the idea with the bar owner. She attended worship online but never attended in person, so she saw the value in the idea and offered Wednesday nights as a time the group could meet. (Jesus, in Luke 10, refers to someone like her as a “person of peace,” someone who isn’t necessarily a believe but who is receptive and can open doors to make things happen.)

As they prepared to start this new group, Adam and Mark kept wondering if anyone would show up. Adam says they had been praying that God would send us people, hoping for four or five to attend. To their surprise, eighteen folk joined them! It reminded Adam of how true Ephesians 3:20 is… “God can do anything, you know—far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams!”

Every Wednesday night, the group has a topic and the topics are printed on a bookmark that each person receives. (Mark and Adam ordered twenty of them not knowing that would be the exact number of persons at the first gathering!) Adam and Mark saw the bookmark in a catalogue. It has “911 Emergency Numbers” at the top and lists thirty topics on each side. For example, one says, “Feeling down and out? – Romans 8:31.” Another says, “Relational advice? – Romans 12.” They cover one topic each Wednesday night, and Mark and Adam base the following Sunday sermon on the same passage. Wednesday nights help them prepare for Sunday!

Most of those who showed up on Wednesday had attended church at some point of their lives, but no longer or rarely attend now. They came Wednesday because they were invited by church members or saw a flier that Adam and Mark distributed. One person who came doesn’t attend church, yet he brought an unchurched friend along with him. Near the end of their time together, Mark and Adam asked if anyone had prayer concerns and three or four responded. And while they prayed together, the noisy bar became quiet. Even those not actually attending the group were touched! Praise God!

Adam and Mark demonstrate that it doesn’t take a large church to launch a Fresh Expression of church. Adam is pastor of Lake Cicott UMC (20 in average worship) and Twelve Mile Bethlehem UMC (40 in average worship), and Mark is a pastor Wolcott UMC (20 in average worship). It just requires hearts that care for a particular group of people, in this case folks that love bikes and beer and have lots of bruises, and finding perhaps a person of peace. So who is God calling you to reach? Who might be your person of peace?

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director for Church Development

Note: If you’re church is interested in launching one or more Fresh Expressions and could benefit from ongoing training, coaching and encouragement, check out the Godsend Incubator from our denomination’s Path 1. The first thirty Indiana Conference UM churches to register get a scholarship to cover half the participation fee! Visit Godsend Incubator to register or contact Ed for more information (ed.fenstermacher@inumc.org).

New Fresh Expressions of church reaching out!

People struggling with addictions, people who love bicycling, people who are hungry for fellowship around a good meal are the type of people that will be reached by five new Fresh Expressions that are launching in Indiana.

The Church Development Committee of the Indiana Conference just approved $1000 Fresh Expressions grants to Meese Chapel and Decatur St. Marks UMCs in the Northeast District, Monon and Fowler UMCs in the Northwest District, and Ruter Chapel UMC in the Southeast District.

These churches are intentionally striving to bring hope and God’s love to people in their communities that are unlikely to show up on a Sunday morning. For example, Meese Chapel is launching A Better Life-Brianna’s Hope joining three dozen other churches in Indiana and Ohio. Brianna’s Hope is a faith-based organization committed to assisting individuals and communities battling addiction, using support, encouragement, and collaboration.

Decatur St. Marks is launching Journey Riders with persons who have a strong passion to share the love of Christ. Layperson John McCullough says that “Through cycling we hope to connect to the lost, build trust, and bring Jesus into their lives slowly and methodically.”

Ruter Chapel is launching The Village, using the dinner-church model of Fresh Expressions. The church’s pastor, Ron Marcoux, says “The Village will provide unchurched and seekers a non-traditional worship setting with a warm meal, live music, and a positive message through testimony and short sermons based on the Gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Fowler UMC is launching Fowler Family Dinner. The church discovered that single older adults in particular are food insecure in Benton County and so the church is setting the table especially for them. Monon UMC has launched a community meal where their members host tables and connect with those who join them, like a “seeker” family of seven that came last month.

Praise God for these churches that have a heart for those in their community who are in need of the Good News of Jesus Christ. Of course there are many other churches that are launching similar efforts. If your church is one of them, please share your story with us. Also, know that Fresh Expressions training is available March 7th at Muncie Union Chapel and May 2 at South Bend Clay UMC. Go to Vision Days for information and registration. Indiana UMs can get a 50% off the regular price if you act right away!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

Is the UMC disappearing?

In a recent article entitled, “Where will the next decade take religion?” Ryan Burge* points out that if trends continue, by 2029 the “Nones” (those unaffiliated with any religion) will surpass other religious groups. He also says that Protestant churches, including The United Methodist Church, will see their percentage of the population, which was 30% in 1970, drop below 5% by 2030–again, if present trends continue.

Globally The United Methodist Church has been growing annually for years; however, in the United States, its numbers continue to decline, mirroring other Protestant denominations. Although it still is the largest Protestant denomination in Indiana, will that be the case in 2030? Presently 10% of Hoosiers are a part of The United Methodist Church. In ten years, will that figure drop in half as Professor Burge suggests?

Bishop Julius Trimble

I believe God is doing a new thing that has the potential of bucking the projected trend. That new thing is a growing missional movement taking place among Indiana United Methodist churches. For the past four years Indiana’s Bishop, Julius Trimble, and Conference leadership have been encouraging churches to become more missional.

In response, more and more churches are launching Fresh Expressions of church in order to reach and disciple unchurched people in their communities. Over 700 people have attended Fresh Expressions training events offered by the Indiana Conference the past two years, and more Fresh Expressions “Vision Day” trainings are being offered.

In addition, nearly fifty pastors are gathering in six cohort groups around the state to focus on how they might help their churches develop stronger multiplication cultures. It is anticipated that a number of these churches will start new faith communities in the coming months and years, and that they will inspire other churches to join them in multiplying too.

You see God is moving–in our churches, our pastors, in other denominations and organizations, and in our communities. We have a choice. Do we sit on the sidelines anticipating the future of a shrinking UMC, or do we get in the thick of what God is doing and help usher in a new era of the church, an era in which we take the church beyond our walls to those who desperately need to hear the Good News of Jesus Christ? I know what I will do. How about you?

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

*Burge is an assistant professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University, where he researches the intersection between religiosity and political behavior in the U.S.

Want to reach out missionally?

Are you and your church looking for ways to reach out to those outside your church? Are you looking for a model with a proven track record of effectiveness in reaching the growing percentage of the population who have no interest in church? If so, you’re going to want to attend a Fresh Expressions “Vision Day” training experience.

In 2020, the Indiana Conference of The United Methodist Church is partnering with Fresh Expressions U.S. to offer the following Vision Days:

• Southwest District –  February 22 at Blue Grass UMC, Evansville; to register Click Here
• East District –  March 7 at Union Chapel Ministries, Muncie; to register Click Here  
• North District – May 2 in South Bend
• North Central District – September 26

Vision Days are designed to help teams from churches understand this successful missional model of outreach, which is created by the Anglican and Methodist churches in England fifteen years ago and is based on Jesus’s sending of the 72 as recorded in Luke 10.

Over 700 people have attended Fresh Expression training in Indiana through United-Methodist sponsored events, including Vision Days, the past two years. And more and more churches are launching Fresh Expressions of church–dinner churches, messy churches, biker bible studies, kid’s clubs in mobile home communities, bible studies for runners, groups in coffee-shops, bars, YMCAs, and retirement centers. The list goes on and on! Wherever people meet, churches are taking the church to them on their turf in normal natural ways.

If you’ve already attended a Vision Day but need more help, contact me at ed.fenstermacher@inumc.org. Also consider attending the National Fresh Expressions Gathering, April 1-3, 2020, in Reston, VA. Those from the Indiana Conference get $50 off the $149 registration price if registered by November 30th. Contact Ed for details.

Don’t miss out on this new movement of God in Indiana. Plan to attend one of these Fresh Expressions “Vision Days” and bring your friends!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director for Church Development

“Vision Day” Fresh Expressions training coming!

Have you heard of Fresh Expressions but you don’t really know a lot about it? Are you interested in reaching and discipling persons outside your church? If so, now’s the time to sign up for the Fresh Expressions “Vision Day” training, August 17th at First United Methodist Church in Wabash, IN. It begins at 9:30am and ends at 3:30pm (Eastern Time) and will consist of a training especially for pastors and lay people from churches interested in exploring this missional outreach model.

Now is the time to register because the early bird discount rate ends August 10th! For United Methodist laity and clergy in the Indiana Conference, the early-bird rate is only $25 per person, which includes lunch. That’s 55% off the general admission price!

Fresh Expressions was developed by the Anglican and Methodist churches of England fifteen years ago because both denominations no longer were reaching the population, especially the huge part of the population no longer interested in attending church. The model follows the example that Christ shares in Luke 10, when he sends out the 72 to the surrounding towns. So although Fresh Expressions is new, in many ways it’s as old as Christ. Don’t miss out; sign up today!

For more information contact ed.fenstermacher@inumc.org.

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

Goal to launch 150 Fresh Expressions; Don’t miss out!

What if… What if our 1,100 United Methodist Churches in Indiana were each reaching outside their walls, sharing Christ’s love on a regular basis with persons uninterested in attending church?  That’s exactly what the Fresh Expressions model helps a church do.  Church Development  has set a goal of helping our conference churches establish 150 Fresh Expressions around the state by 2025.

Take your next step and explore this possibility by registering for one of the following training opportunities…

May 18th, Vision Day, sponsored by the SE District, held at Bloomington St. Paul UMC, 9:30am-3:30pm (Eastern). EARLY-BIRD PRICE DEADLINE IS MAY 11TH  Registration link.

June 1st, Dinner Church.  One of the most popular forms of Fresh Expressions (FX); sponsored by our Conference Church Development (CD) and the Indiana Assembly of God, held at Lakeview Church in Indianapolis, 9am-4pm (Eastern).  Registration link.

June 29th, FX Roundtables.  Vision Day follow-up training, especially for churches that already know the basics; sponsored by CD, held at Fort Wayne Covenant UMC, 8:30-11:30am (Eastern), and Fishers UMC, 2:00-5:00pm (Eastern).

August 10, Messy Church.  Another popular form of FX; sponsored by Michigan City First UMC and Messy Church USA, held at Michigan City First, 9am-3:30pm (Central).  Registration link.

August 17, Vision Day, sponsored by the NW District, held at Wabash First, 9:30am-3:30pm (Eastern).  Registration link.

Also, consider attending on May 17th “Re-Missioning the Church from the Outside In,” a live-stream webinar led by UMC pastors Jorge Acevedo and Michael Beck, author of Deep Roots, Wild Branches.  Registration link.

God is doing a new thing in Indiana.  Don’t miss out!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

Fresh Expressions “Vision Day” is coming!

Jesus reminds us how important each person is when he tells the story of the shepherd who leaves the 99 sheep to search for the one lost sheep.  So how important is that one lost sheep to you and your church?  If your answer is “really important,” then you’ll want to attend the Fresh Expressions “Vision Day” coming Saturday, March 16th, at Columbia City United Methodist Church near Fort Wayne.  For more information and to register click here.  Act now because the early-bird rate ends March 10th!

Fresh Expressions is a model of outreach especially for churches that are seeking to be more missional.  It is one of the most effective ways for a church to reach and disciple persons who have no interest in attending a church.  It is a model that can be initiated by as few as a single person and it doesn’t necessarily require a lot of money.  It is a model that all sizes of churches can do, and in all ministry contexts.  All it requires is a bit of understanding and a heart for those outside the church that Jesus referred to as the lost.

Emily Reece, Director of Church Development, and I had the privilege of visiting Wildwood United Methodist Church in Wildwood, Florida.  Even though only 110 people attended the church’s worship services, the church has over a dozen Fresh Expression groups meeting every week.  We visited the church’s Higher Power Hour (yoga) and Bibles and Burritos, which meets at a Moe’s Southwest Grill.  They also have Fresh Expressions in a tattoo parlor, hair salon, and dog park.  They have groups that are for people who like to run, and people who like art.  The church has a culture of going out into the community to build relationships and disciple their friends and neighbors, and Fresh Expressions is how they mainly do it!

The church’s pastor, Michael Beck, will be one of the two people leading the Vision Day training on March 16th, so don’t miss out!   Sign up today.  That little lost sheep is counting on you and your church!

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

 

Glaciers are melting and people are leaving our churches–but there’s hope!

Have you heard of the Thwaites Glacier in Antarctica?  It was recently in the news, reported on by USA Today as well as many other media outlets.  The Thwaites Glacier—has lost an estimated 14 billion tons of ice the past three years, leaving a cavity nearly the size of Manhattan Island.  Scientists knew it was melting but they under estimated the enormity of the change.

Recently I was speaking with Rev. Ross Stackhouse, who is starting a new United Methodist faith community south of Indianapolis.  He expressed similar shock and alarm at the growing secularization of residents in his target area.  His efforts are focused on reaching the “nones” and the “dones,” those uninterested in church.  Since arriving to his mission field this past summer, he has connected with hundreds of people outside the church.  Though appreciative of his interest in them, few have shown any interest in attending his outreach events.

Just as the scientists underestimated the enormity of the loss of ice in the Thwaites Glacier, those of us in the church are underestimating the degree to which society is disengaging with organized religion.  On the surface, yes, we’re aware that the trends are in a negative direction, but we are not seeing the whole picture.  It’s much more widespread and accelerating at a faster rate than it appears.

So what do we do with this sobering news?  How about we take another look at the model Jesus gave us in Luke 10, when he sent out the 70.  This model was reclaimed by the Methodist Church in England fifteen years ago.  It’s called Fresh Expressions.  Now 20% of their churches have Fresh Expressions efforts.  Collectively they’re reaching 500,000 people each week and 75% of those reached were the “nones” and “dones”!

Just as Jesus’ model in Luke 10 didn’t require lots of money and resources neither do most Fresh Expressions efforts.  And just as the Luke 10 model simply requires two people to go out in pairs, Fresh Expressions doesn’t require more than a couple people who feel called and are willing to go out.  And finally Fresh Expressions are fun!  Jesus loved to attend parties and dinners as he related to people, and many Fresh Expressions efforts also are based on parties and dinners and living life along side those God places in your path.  They are very organic and relational.

So let’s join Ross and begin to figure out how to reach the growing slice of the population pie that’s written off the church.  Fresh Expressions may be one model that we need to explore.  Below are ways you can do just that.

— Ed Fenstermacher, Associate Director of Church Development

Book:   Bishop Kenneth Carter and Audrey Warren’s book entitled, Fresh Expressions:  A New Kind of Methodist Church for People Not in the Church.  It’s designed as a Bible study so form a group and read through it together.

Training Opportunities offered by the Indiana Conference this spring…

Fresh Expressions “Vision Day,” March 16, 2019, at Columbia City UMC (near Fort Wayne).  For more information and registration click here.

Fresh Expressions “Vision Day,” May 18, 2019, at St. Paul UMC in Bloomington, IN.  For more information and registration click here.

Dinner Church (a popular form of Fresh Expressions), June 1, 2019, at Lakeview Church in Indianapolis.  More information and registration will be forthcoming.

Fresh Expressions Grants offered by Church Development.  Click here for details.