The course is aimed at Christians with a desire for the church to be more effective in mission, coming as individuals, or ideally as a team, to explore ideas for fresh expressions and how to develop emerging leaders for new forms of church.

We hope that many will begin the course as they are preparing to embark on a fresh expression of church, but that others will come at a later or earlier stage in the process.  We hope that many clergy will be able to take part in the course (as these elements have not traditionally been part of clergy training) alongside lay people.

The course will run for a year over six Tuesday evenings, three Saturdays and one residential weekend and will be mainly based in Ashill near Watton.  It will cost £250 per person (some support funding may be available if necessary).

Here’s one story of what can happen when theory is put into practice:

‘Stoke Holy Cross is a church which is small in numbers but big in heart.  Three members of this church attended the year-long mission shaped ministry course last year which gave them the confidence to get together a small team to set up a Fresh Expressions church, in the church hall, on the first Sunday afternoon of each month. ‘TOGETHER’, an opportunity for local people to hear a short talk, have tea, play games, take part in craft activities and use the prayer room as a quiet room to talk and listen to God, was launched in February, as a way of sharing God’s love in the community. It has been a huge and exciting challenge with members of the team definitely stepping out of their comfort zones in many ways and meeting with people who haven’t been to church before. It’s a steep learning curve for all those involved. Clearly all the teaching from msm has been a great benefit and encouragement but it is still no substitute for jumping in and getting on with it!’

Think about the needs of the community served by your church and the ways you are seeking to reach out to them. Think about your own calling and if this is something you would like to find out more about then contact Sue Hatherly on 01760 447 421

(dvd.hat@tesco.net ) and visit www.freshexpressions.org.uk