Fresh Expressions course expands to Canada

This autumn will see a new season of Fresh Expressions mission shaped ministry courses across the UK and for the first time in Canada.

The course, which helps Christians to reach those not involved in traditional churches, gets underway in September and October.

It is taking place in various towns and cities including Edinburgh, Kent, York Gloucester. In Canada, the course will run in Toronto.

The one-year, part-time msm course looks at how to start, and sustain, fresh expressions of church.

More than 1,500 people have taken the course since it was launched in 2007,

Fresh Expressions estimates another 1,000 people will take the course in the next year, making it a major contributor to lay and ordained ministry training.

Among other topics, the 24-unit course looks at issues like the mission of God, the Gospel and culture, evangelism and discipleship, and what it means to be church.

The Bishop of Chichester, Rt Revd John Hind, said: "Fresh expressions of church are an increasing feature of the Christian landscape. The msm course is a valuable tool to encourage theological reflection and good practice in ministry.

"I do commend it both to those already involved in fresh expressions and those in the process of discerning whether this is the right step for them."

Overseeing the course content is the mission shaped ministry Board. Its members include Howard Mellor (Chair), Joanna Cox, Bishop Graham Cray, Jonny Baker, Ian Mobsby, Bob and Mary Hopkins, Pete and Kath Atkins, John Drane and Zoe Hart. The course has been revised and redesigned with the help of a team of creative partners including Olive Drane, Mark Berry, Sue Wallace,Tony Hardy and Ben Edson.

For further details about msm and the 2010 courses, visit www.freshexpressions.org.uk/missionshapedministry