Church Army Evangelists Praised for Work Towards Fresh Expressions

Last week's General Synod debate on fresh expressions commended the work of Church Army evangelists in playing a key role in fresh expressions.

The debate centred around one of the largest pieces of legislation to pass through Synod for 20 years - a motion to facilitate change in Church organisation at both parish and diocesan level to allow fresh expressions to develop more freely.

As the debate continued the good work being done by Church Army was commended as being crucial to fresh expressions.

Chaired by the Rt Rev Michael Langrish, the Bishop of Exeter, the debate highlighted the work of Church Army, in particular Ben Edson for his work with the Sanctus 1 emerging church project, based in Manchester, and Andy Milne for his work with Sorted, a thriving fresh expression of church for young people interested in skateboarding which works across three parishes in Bradford.

During the debate, Church Army's work was praised by the Bishop of Exeter who recognised the key role it has to play in fresh expression.

Steven Croft, Archbishops' Missioner and Director of Fresh Expressions, also praised Church Army, adding in his speech, "The significant progress which has been made is due to a number of agencies and central church bodies being willing to work together and combine their energies for the common good. The partnership with the Methodist Church has been a positive fruit of the Covenant process both nationally and locally.

"Church Army in particular has played a key role both nationally and locally along with CMS, CPAS and Anglican Church Planting Initiatives and New Way. By God's grace much has been and is being accomplished - most of all at local level but there is an urgent need for dioceses and the national church to give continued and renewed commitment to this focus and priority in the coming years."

Synod member Peter Bruinvels, a former Church Army board member also drew attention to the involvement of Church Army in fresh expressions.

Welcoming the legislation, Church Army's Chief Executive, Mark Russell said: "My dream is that we will further the mission of the church. At the heart of this colossal piece of work is the Bishops Mission Order. I pay tribute to all of you involved in this legislation...that suddenly fresh expressions have the authority of the bishop; it allows the bishop to be that leader in mission that he is supposed to be. It places mission and outreach of fresh expressions at the centre of the diocesan life.

"I believe that this piece of legislation is a gift to the Church of England. It enables fresh expressions and the new types of Christian communities that are emerging to be part of that mixed economy that Archbishop Rowan dreams of. It allows us to have a church as diverse in parish and in fresh expression."