John Bowen is the author of What is a Fresh Expression of Church? A Beginner’s Guide to a Movement that is Changing the Church. The first half of the booklet explains what is (and is not!) meant by the phrase “fresh expressions of church,” and unpacks why fresh expressions of church might be needed and […]
What is a Fresh Expression of Church? Read More »
This summer, my wife and I spent some time in the UK. One day, we checked online for churches to visit that Sunday, and found one that seemed very lively. I clicked on the “staff” page. There I found an impressive number of staff, both full and part-time, but I confess I was baffled by
Online and On Message: one way to write a church website with impact Read More »
Apparently, it’s just one of those long-standing Christmas traditions. More people will come to services this Christmas than at any other time of year. And the majority of those people will not come back for another 12 months. Is this inevitable? Do we simply shrug and accept it as a sad reality? Or is there
Will They Come Back Next Week? – The Challenge of Preaching at Christmas Read More »
The quiz below is meant to help you assess your congregation, but also to show how the Institute can provide you with help. Make sure you click the submit button at the end to get suggestions on how the Institute can help in areas relevant to you. 1. In the past two years, the number
Is your congregation an evangelizing community? An Evangelism Assessment for Churches Read More »
You’re thinking of inviting a friend to church? My first piece of advice: Don’t. At least, don’t do it on an average Sunday. Unless, of course, your friend has said, “You know what? I would just love to see how an Anglican church operates on a typical Sunday when you’re not making special allowances for
How to Invite a Friend to Church Read More »
Moving toward Christian faith is seldom easy. There are intellectual, ethical and relational issues to be worked through, to name but three. Churches which seek to practice evangelism will try to offer help at every step for those who wish it. There are many such \”stepping stones\” churches can offer: classical music is one of
The Difficult Journey to Faith: How the Church can Provide Stepping Stones Read More »
Most churches identify themselves as friendly communities. Yet the experience of a first-time visitor is often one of confusion, embarrassment and even alienation. John Bowen helps us think through the steps by which we can make that first visit a positive one, so that a visitor will feel confidence to return, to explore the reality
From Visitor to Disciple: Eight Ways Your Church Can Help Read More »
You are an unchurched person. You believe in God, but you have little time for organised religion. If pressed, you would say you are a spiritual person, but church? Well, thanks, but no thanks. What will get you inside the church? Two things in particular. One: rumours that something good is going on at that
This Article is from the Spring 1999 edition of good idea!, also available here in a fully formatted PDF file. Our student son said to us recently, “By the way, I was talking to some street kids in Toronto the other day, and I gave them our phone number in case they needed it. I hope that’s OK?”
Towards A Theology of Welcome – Bible Study Read More »
Jesus went to a lot of parties. In fact, he went to too many of them–at least, according to the religious people. Yet for him, far from being an excuse to eat too much and drink too much–though that was the accusation–parties made a crucial theological point. His point? The kingdom of God is like
Towards A Theology of Parties Read More »