How to start and grow contextual churches using the Fresh Expressions approach. What form of church does your context need?

Christians worldwide are learning new ways to connect their faith to everyday life. Gospel communities are popping up everywhere - in cafes, gyms, tattoo parlours, laundromats. This movement, called Fresh Expressions, is attracting thousands and growing rapidly. With over 120 real-life examples, Michael Moynagh describes easy ways for ordinary Christians to embrace this highly effective approach to local mission. Anyone can do it!

The Revd Dr Michael Moynagh is an Anglican priest, and coordinator of The Tomorrow Project, which advises governments and businesses on future trends. He is based at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford, where he conducts research for Fresh Expressions UK. He has written or been lead author of more than fifteen books, including A Church for Every Context.

Christians worldwide are learning new ways to connect their faith to everyday life. Gospel communities are popping up everywhere; in cafes, gyms, tattoo parlours, laundromats. This movement, called Fresh Expressions, is attracting thousands and growing rapidly. With over 120 real-life examples, Michael Moynagh describes easy ways for ordinary Christians to embrace this highly effective approach to local mission. Anyone can do it!

__Contents__  
Acknowledgments 11  
Foreword 13  
Introduction – Wanting to make a difference 17  
__Part 1 – Why communities in life? 25__  
1\. Communities in life 26  
2\. Seven reasons why 54  
3\. Ideas to stir the imagination 87  
__Part 2 – Tools for developing witnessing communities 117__  
4\. One secret you should know 118  
5\. Getting started 150  
6\. Making disciples 180  
7\. Multiplying disciples 211  
__Part 3 – Tools for the wider church 237__  
8\. How can my church get involved? 238  
9\. What should my denomination or network do? 273  
10\. The keys to success 307  
Appendix: How to evaluate progress 319  
Bibliography 345  
Index 349

Michael Moynagh

Cover

Title Page

Copyright Page

Dedication

Acknowledgments

Foreword

Introduction – Wanting to make a difference

Part 1 – Why communities in life?

1. Communities in life

2. Seven reasons why

3. Ideas to stir the imagination

Part 2 – Tools for developing witnessing communities

4. One secret you should know

5. Getting started

6. Making disciples

7. Multiplying disciples

Part 3 – Tools for the wider church

8. How can my church get involved?

9. What should my denomination or network do?

10. The keys to success

Appendix: How to evaluate progress

Bibliography

Moynagh, Michael

Evidence now suggests that contextual church plants have an important role to play in church growth. There is an increasing international interest in these new and different forms of church, often known as 'fresh expressions' or 'emerging church'. Author Michael Moynagh is a member of the UK national Fresh Expressions movement, a remarkable initiative that has attracted widespread attention around the world. In this inspiring volume he shares practical and comprehensive advice on how to start and grow new churches - however small - in every context of life. This popular introduction emphasizes practical aspects, telling many of the great stories that have emerged through practitioners. It will enthuse and help church leaders and individuals to start and develop these communities; and advise them on how to help them grow to maturity and become sustainable.

"Mike Moynagh's life time work has been to assess the way the world is evolving and also the church as a witnessing community. He shows how they can join up in practice in this book which is peppered with stories. His characteristic skill is to pull together many strands, to distil wisdom from them and add that Moynagh dash of interpretative flavour. In a post Christendom age, he shows how it is possible to put the church back in the public sphere through holistic service and Christ centred witness. He longs to earth theory in practice and this book does just what the title says." -- Canon Dr George Lings, Church Army "This book wonderfully combines a depth of insight with a simplicity of practice which makes it a must read for anyone wanting to start a witnessing community." -- Dave Male, Ridley Hall, Cambridge "The combination of his knowledge and enthusiasm will encourage and inspire you to think afresh about how you can become a mission-shaped pioneer." -- Canon Phil Potter, Pioneer Ministry "Being Church Doing Life offers both the whys and hows of developing 'witnessing communities', with many encouraging stories of people like you and me seeing gospel transformation as they step out on God's great adventure." -- Gareth Robinson, church planter and worship leader "We're called to go and tell, but too often the church becomes complacent, failing to see the mission outside itself. In Being Church, Doing Life, Michael Moynagh provokes us to search outside of the church walls, seizing opportunities for Christian witness. It will challenge your thinking and push you toward mission." -- Ed Stetzer, President, Lifeway Research "This is a book for CAN DO people. Grounded in practical experience, this is a must-read for all who are passionate about seeing the church alive in the everyday." -- Francis Brienen, Deputy General Secretary designate - Mission for the United Reformed Church "Mission today has to be incarnational. The church has to be where people are, not just where they live. Mike Moynagh's insightful book extends our understanding of fresh expressions of church and puts the possibility of involvement within the reach of many Christians in their everyday lives." -- Bishop Graham Cray "Michael Moynagh shows how small witnessing communities, lovingly serving their neighbours, can offer a tantalizing 'taste of church' and intentionally plant signposts to Jesus. Read Being Church for renewed vision!" -- Grace Sears, Past President of The Order of the Daughters of the King "This book is full of ideas to stir your imagination. Michael's wide knowledge of creative ideas for mission and evangelism helps the ordinary Christian to see their situation through new eyes." -- Dr Martin Robinson, Together in Mission "In his new work Being Church, Doing Life, Dr Moynagh lays out a thought-provoking and compelling argument as to how the church can expand its reach in an increasingly post-Christian society. Doing life in witnessing communities is what takes Jesus out of the sacred buildings and propels us into the real world the way that God intends. If the church desires to be a relevant force in today's world, we must learn to live on mission in community as disciples who make disciples. Loaded with practical stories and ideas, this book is a true gift to the church today." -- Rob Peabody, Awaken "Simple, practical, encouraging and full of examples. Mike enthuses about the possibilities of witnessing in daily life such that it is hard to resist having a go." -- Jonny Baker, Church Mission Society "This both sets a real challenge, and provides ample inspiration and encouragement to the Church. A tremendously encouraging read." -- Lesley Hamilton-Messer, Team Leader, Church Without Walls "Fresh expressions of church are beginning and multiplying at an extraordinary rate. Michael Moynagh's very practical book, Being Church, Doing Life is full of stories and lessons from this increasingly influential movement. This is a must read for those any of us that are serious about living out the Jesus Mission in everyday life." -- Dave Ferguson, Lead Pastor, Community Christian Church, Chicago "Once again Mike Moynagh provides the kind of inspirational stories, practical insights and sound thinking that equip and encourage Christians to live out winsome and whole lives in the twenty-first century. Excellent stuff!" -- Martyn Atkins, Chair of Fresh Expressions and General Secretary, Methodist Church of Britain "Explains simply how every Christian can be involved in effective mission. Let's read it together, apply it together, and see new dimensions of the life of Jesus transforming our networks and neighbourhoods with the yeast of the Kingdom!" -- Bob and Mary Hopkins "If you want to tear down the disconnect between church and life, if you want to find exciting and do-able ways to add kingdom value to your passion and if you want to witness to Jesus with other Christians rather than on your own, I warmly commend Being Church, Doing Life." -- Alan Hirsch, in his foreword

Practical and comprehensive advice on how to start, grow and sustain new churches fit for purpose in today's world

Expressing your faith where you live

Being Church, Doing Life

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