New leadership for Fresh Expressions
Great news for the future from Fresh Expressions following the appointment of Steve Croft to the bishopric of Sheffield. Please pray for Graham and Jackie, and for Steve Lindridge and his family, as they prepare to take up these reponsibilities in the new year.
The Archbishops of Canterbury and York and the Methodist Church have this week announced that the Fresh Expressions initiative is to continue for a further period of five years.
The Bishop of Maidstone, Rt Reverend Graham Cray, is to be the next Archbishops' Missioner and leader of the Fresh Expressions team.
The Methodist Connexional Missioner for Fresh Expressions is to be the Revd Stephen Lindridge, currently Evangelism Enabler in the Newcastle District.
Bishop Graham, who is the Bishop for Mission in the Diocese of Canterbury, will succeed Dr Steven Croft, who is to be the next Bishop of Sheffield.
The new appointment gives Bishop Graham a unique opportunity to further develop many of the ideas and suggestions put forward by the Working Party he chaired before producing the much celebrated report Mission-shaped Church (1). The concept of 'fresh expressions' and the notion of a 'mixed economy' church were both explored in that document.
Bishop Graham said this morning: "I have been delighted with the national and ecumenical response to Mission-shaped Church and hugely impressed with the work done by the Fresh Expressions team. It is an honour and a thrill to be asked lead the second phase of the work. I am very grateful for the Archbishops' invitation, and look forward to taking up my new responsibilities."
Stephen Lindridge has helped to pioneer a fresh expression of church in Gateshead and has been instrumental in setting up training and resources to support fresh expressions of church in the North East. He said today: "I am delighted to be joining the fresh expression team, as the fruit of phase one is evident for us all to see and I am very much looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that phase two (of fresh expressions) will bring."
He added: "God's grace on the emerging leaders in fresh expressions has been wonderful to observe. I count it an immense privilege to be appointed to a position where I can actively encourage this work throughout the UK."
Fresh Expressions is a partnership between the Church of England and Methodist Church and is an initiative of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York. Hundreds of fresh expressions have already been set up and new approaches to clergy and lay training have been advocated and adopted.
The initiative has been strongly and generously supported by the Lambeth Partners since it was launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has regularly thanked them for their support during phase one.
The new appointments will begin in 2009.
Anglican and Methodist Church leaders were quick to welcome today’s news:
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, said: "I am delighted the initiative is to continue in partnership with the Methodist Church. Bishop Graham will bring exactly the right blend of experience and vision to the work already begun and I look forward to working with him in his new post."
Dr Martyn Atkins, General Secretary of the Methodist Church, added: "The Methodist Church is delighted to continue the fruitful partnership with the Church of England in the second phase of Fresh Expressions and I am personally delighted that the combination of Bishop Graham Cray's theological expertise and Rev Stephen Lindridge's experience as a practitioner will be a wonderful demonstration of the effectiveness of collaborating ecumenically".
The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, said: "The Bishop of Maidstone chaired the Mission-shaped Church working party, which first recognised the fresh expressions movement. His involvement with Soul Survivor and Greenbelt, his experience at St Michael le Belfrey in York and his time as Principal of Ridley Hall have all prepared Graham for his new role leading Fresh Expressions. Bishop Graham and his team will be in my prayers as we look to God for the future."
Mark Russell, Chief Executive of Church Army said: "What a fantastic and creative appointment! A fresh expression of Episcopacy! I am delighted and excited by Bishop's Graham's new appointment. Graham bristles with gifts, and he will build on Steve Croft's excellent work, continuing to lead the thinking in helping us all create a mission-shaped church. He is a common sense visionary, who loves God and loves people. Church Army values our partnership with Fresh Expressions immensely, we assure Graham of our prayers, and we are really excited about working with him in his new role"
Dr. Steven Croft also welcomed the appointments: "Graham will bring a lifelong commitment to mission and fresh expressions of church and the practical experience of building a mixed economy church within the Diocese of Canterbury. He is exactly the right person to lead Fresh Expressions into the next phase of its life. Stephen Lindridge is an experienced pioneer and a tested advocate for fresh expressions of church and will bring rich gifts to the team.
