Feedback from The Mixed Economy Church and FxC Group
1. Much discussion occurred around the subject of how we measure attendance/growth and concern
was raised around the need to be able to reflect growth in other ways. Churches may be successful
in many ways (community activity as a good example) without immediate growth
2. The church is showing growth in this area across Devon and this is extremely encouraging. Some
surprise was expressed about the numbers of FxC
3. Only 50% of FxC is picked up in returns on participants was discussed and there was a mixed view of
the position
4. A particular concern was expressed about whether we had an unspoken agenda for Common Fund
in trying to count the very large numbers of people who attended Messy Church and expect
payment of CF to reflect that number. I assured them this was not the case.
5. The issue of ‘cost of inclusion’ and ‘method of inclusion’ of FxC will need to be considered very
carefully
6. There was a need to explain to many people in the groups what a ‘Mixed Economy Church’ and a
‘FxC’ were and why an initiative might not be a FxC. A comment made a few times by those who
had experience of what makes a FxC was Messy Church is not a way into church nor is it only for
young people with no attention given to adults who attend or might attend.
7. If this is the biggest area of growth then how can we not prioritise investment in FxC was a question
asked/suggestion by several people
8. It is vital that we enable new ways of being church
9. How many are happening in small churches was a question raised which I could not answer.
Concern that small churches would struggle to do anything in this area
10. It was, more or less, accepted that we should be supporting fresh expressions into ecclesial
maturity
11. Some genuine enthusiasm from most of the group
12. House groups (missional activities) could be FxC
13. In some mission focussed cases this could mean that half are in church on a Sunday , half out on
mission then vice versa the following Sunday
14. There was a suggestion (possibly true?) that the larger proportion of FxC are lay led and lay
initiated. Regardless we must recognise the lay critical level and role of lay engagement that can
build this new form of church
15. How many people spend time in fresh expressions as placements during training; almost certainly
none. This was strongly encouraged
16. Fresh expressions must not be age bracketed
17. FxC need adequate theological thinking behind
18. Not only will training and development in the future be important but there are likely to be
significant changes in the training that is currently given
19. Lack of training for pioneer ministry outside London
20. Part of this work will be identifying the people, LEADERS and training them
21. Entrepreneurial flair and new skills are required for FxC
22. We heard about a FxC at St Andrews Cullompton 9:30 which is beginning to exceed the capacity of
the new hall
23. We must be ready to stop some things that do not work
24. It was, at time, hard to get the focus away from Messy Church as he main discussion. A range of
alternative examples would be useful
25. Importance of planning for problems, loss of leadership, was stressed
26. The fullest expression must be in the FxC not going away to access the sacraments
27. Teaching is an important part of what is in the fullest expression
28. A suggestion was made that a Messy Church is supposed to be separate from the established
church
29. There was pretty much across the board support for investment in this area