How Launching Faith Compares to Similar Movements
Fresh Expressions
Fresh Expressions began in the UK through the Methodist Church and Church of England and encourages churches to start new forms of church within communities.
Examples include:
Café Church
Messy Church
Dinner Church
Skate Park Church
Dog-walking church
Strategy - The Fresh Expressions model follows a common process: Listen → Love → Build Community → Explore Discipleship → Become Church
It encourages mission-first communities that may eventually become a church.
Strengths
Strong theological backing
Broad denominational support
Many contextual expressions
Limitations - Fresh Expressions often become church-adjacent programs rather than deeply relational communities.
Comparison to Launching Faith
Category
Origin
Fresh Expressions
Denominational initiative
Focus
New forms of church
Model
Mission leading towards the church
Training
Theology
Launching Faith
Grassroots ministry
Faith communities in everyday spaces
Spiritual community where life already happens
Denominational networks
Anglican/Methodist mission theology
Independent coaching and toolkit
Discipleship in secular spaces
Key Difference
Fresh Expressions asks: “How can the church reach new communities?”
Launching Faith asks: “How can faith communities form where people already live their lives?”
Dinner Church Collective
Dinner Church centers on shared meals as a key expression of community. It gained popularity through networks like the Dinner Church Collective and churches such as St. Lydia’s in Brooklyn. The meal itself becomes the foundation of worship and discipleship.
Strategy
The typical pattern is:
Shared meal
Scripture reflection
Prayer and worship
Communion or blessing
Strengths
Deeply relational
Naturally welcoming
Accessible to people outside church
Limitations - Dinner Church is still often hosted by a church and connected to that congregation.