Develop a Discipleship System
Fresh Expressions United Methodist National Gathering
By Michael Beck
February 7-9, 2024
"Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the master of a household who brings out of his treasure what is new and what is old." - Matthew 13:52
Futuring Forward: The Reawakening of the People Called Methodists
Fresh Expressions UM is a distinctly Wesleyan Spirit-led movement of new Christian communities that serve the present age.
We have a singular focus… to cultivate communities of love and grace for people neglected by the church. We are seeking to be the church with new people, in new places, and in new ways.
United Methodists have been at the forefront of the Fresh Expressions movement in the United States for over a decade. In the past several years, practitioners, scholars, and developers have assembled to create a distinct Wesleyan pathway to resource the pan-Methodist family in the cultivation of these grace-centered Fresh Expressions of Church.
In this task, we are seeking to “bring forth treasures old and new” (Matthew 13:52), as we synergize the values of early Methodism and Fresh Expressions in the United Kingdom “to serve the present age.”[1]
In 2024, multiple conferences across the US are partnering to create the first-ever Fresh Expressions UM National Gathering. We will gather at Providence United Methodist Church in Charlotte, North Carolina, on February 7-9, 2024.
The future of the continuing United Methodist Church is bright. We are gathering together to be inspired with fresh imagination and hope, while curating best practices from the field.
We will learn from some of the most notable bishops, scholars, and practitioners across the connection. A plethora of workshops will be provided, offering an array of practical tools, processes, and frameworks. Immersion sites will be prepared around Charlotte to receive teams that want to experience mature Fresh Expressions firsthand.
The gathering is designed by teams and for teams. Mark your calendars and register now to stay up-to-date with event details!
Current partners:
- Florida UMC
- North Georgia UMC
- Western North Carolina UMC
- Holston UMC
- Indiana UMC
[1] Wesley, Charles. “A Charge to Keep I Have” second stanza.
Michael Beck is the Director of Fresh Expressions United Methodist (FXUM) with Path 1 at Discipleship Ministries.
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