New look for Fresh Expressions mission course

The Fresh Expressions introductory mission course has been given a makeover in time for the spring and summer.

The new look Mission Shaped Intro (MSI) is being launched on 1 May. It features six freely downloadable sessions exploring ways in which churches can rediscover and re-imagine church around the question: "why should we create fresh expressions of church?"

Each 90-minute session looks at the ever-changing nature of communities and why the church needs to rethink its approach to these communities in meaningful and relevant ways.

Andrew Roberts, Director of Training for Fresh Expressions, said, "As the world continues to change and Christians share in God’s mission imaginatively and prophetically, we are delighted to offer this fully updated mission shaped intro to re-imagine church for those who don’t church.

"Thanks to those who support Fresh Expressions, we are pleased to be able to continue to offer MSI as a free download and pray that it will continue to be effective in opening up hearts and minds to God’s call to mission today."

The course harnesses presentations, movie clips and stories to promote active group participation, but has been designed to meet the needs of beginners to mission as well as those with more experience in Fresh Expressions.

Linda Rayner, URC Coordinator for Fresh Expressions, said, "A course that explains cultural change and helps convert church mindset from 'bringing people in' to 'getting the Gospel message out' is what many churches need as they struggle to understand why church life has changed and what mission means now within their own communities.

"Detailed leaders’ notes make MSI the ideal course for introducing local churches to the concept of being mission-shaped."

An estimated 75,000 people have used MSI since it was first launched in 2007.

Feedback from course users has been used by pioneers, presenters and Fresh Expressions team members to overhaul content for the new edition, which is designed to be more creative, compact and current.

Dr Rachel Jordan, the Church of England’s National Mission and Evangelism Adviser, adds, "The MSI course gets to the heart of understanding about mission; incarnation. It is a great way to help people change their mindset and grasp the impact of culture on mission today."

The Methodist Church’s Evangelism in Contemporary Culture Officer, Rev Joanne Cox, said: "This is one of the best resources currently available for people investigating what it might mean to be a mission-shaped disciple in contemporary culture.

"It helps raise important questions – and offers the space and flexibility for people to become more confident in faith, mission and discipleship. Everyone should participate in this course and see where it leads."