Mixed Church Economy
Why is this theological term 'mixed church economy' important?
It was first used by the former Archbishop Rowan Williams to refer to fresh expressions and 'inherited' forms of church existing alongside each other, within the same denomination, in relationships of mutual respect and support.
Whether traditional in form or an innovative fresh expression, the common task of the church is to help people to see God, themselves and the world as never before. Mixed economy is a term first coined by Dr Williams referring to the coexistence of fresh expressions and ‘inherited’ forms of church.
It is a vision in which churches in their various forms work alongside one another in helping people encounter Jesus, and discipling them at whatever stage in their faith journeys they may be at. The future for churches, Williams suggested, lies in striking a balance between “regular and demanding” church cell groups, community-wide gatherings with a capacity for “nudging others towards new vision”, and large-scale festivals and events that give people a glimpse of what the church is trying to create in the world. The Archbishop said that the “real heart” for the next generation would inevitably be bound up in the small group – or cell group - where people are able to form bonds of trust in one another. “[We are looking for] a context within which there is a flow of communication, good news and challenge between different styles of church life, which may respond to different personalities in different stages along the journey. “What holds them together is Jesus, and what Jesus helps you see, and [through that] the landscape is transformed.” The starting point then is for every church and every fresh expression is the encounter between Jesus and others.
If God's intention for the human race is that difference and oneness should be combined, should this not have implications for our understanding of church? We will hold to a vision of one transcendent united church, but positively welcome a rich variety of expressions of church locally, nationally and across the world. Francis and Richter call for a 'multiplex' church. This would allow followers of Christ to celebrate their participation in the kingdom of God in many different ways.
The idea of the mixed economy seeks to make this vision real. Very diverse expressions of church would exist alongside each other in mutual fellowship. Old and new would seek to be a blessing to one another. Archbishops’ Missioner and Fresh Expressions Team Leader Bishop Graham Cray said, a “three-part ecology” of church is starting to emerge, with “new imagination” in relation to possible forms of church at the grassroots level, a “climate of permission and encouragement” at the leadership level, and the development of nationally available resources for mission and training. “The great majority of fresh expressions are new fledgling congregations meeting in a welcoming place and at a convenient time for those who previously did not go to church or follow Christ, and they are well within the capability of the average local church,” he said.
“We need to see thousands and thousands more average local churches becoming mixed economy.”
This blog aims to address this area of need for church renewal as one of the authentic means of the Holy Spirit to make community...
It was first used by the former Archbishop Rowan Williams to refer to fresh expressions and 'inherited' forms of church existing alongside each other, within the same denomination, in relationships of mutual respect and support.
Whether traditional in form or an innovative fresh expression, the common task of the church is to help people to see God, themselves and the world as never before. Mixed economy is a term first coined by Dr Williams referring to the coexistence of fresh expressions and ‘inherited’ forms of church.
It is a vision in which churches in their various forms work alongside one another in helping people encounter Jesus, and discipling them at whatever stage in their faith journeys they may be at. The future for churches, Williams suggested, lies in striking a balance between “regular and demanding” church cell groups, community-wide gatherings with a capacity for “nudging others towards new vision”, and large-scale festivals and events that give people a glimpse of what the church is trying to create in the world. The Archbishop said that the “real heart” for the next generation would inevitably be bound up in the small group – or cell group - where people are able to form bonds of trust in one another. “[We are looking for] a context within which there is a flow of communication, good news and challenge between different styles of church life, which may respond to different personalities in different stages along the journey. “What holds them together is Jesus, and what Jesus helps you see, and [through that] the landscape is transformed.” The starting point then is for every church and every fresh expression is the encounter between Jesus and others.
If God's intention for the human race is that difference and oneness should be combined, should this not have implications for our understanding of church? We will hold to a vision of one transcendent united church, but positively welcome a rich variety of expressions of church locally, nationally and across the world. Francis and Richter call for a 'multiplex' church. This would allow followers of Christ to celebrate their participation in the kingdom of God in many different ways.
The idea of the mixed economy seeks to make this vision real. Very diverse expressions of church would exist alongside each other in mutual fellowship. Old and new would seek to be a blessing to one another. Archbishops’ Missioner and Fresh Expressions Team Leader Bishop Graham Cray said, a “three-part ecology” of church is starting to emerge, with “new imagination” in relation to possible forms of church at the grassroots level, a “climate of permission and encouragement” at the leadership level, and the development of nationally available resources for mission and training. “The great majority of fresh expressions are new fledgling congregations meeting in a welcoming place and at a convenient time for those who previously did not go to church or follow Christ, and they are well within the capability of the average local church,” he said.
“We need to see thousands and thousands more average local churches becoming mixed economy.”
This blog aims to address this area of need for church renewal as one of the authentic means of the Holy Spirit to make community...