What do I do?

Fresh Expressions of Church
Are you interested in starting a Fresh Expressions of Church in your area? Do you have a vision for doing church differently but don't know how to implement it? Are there people in your locality who are open to the gospel but you're not sure how to relate to them with the message of Jesus?

I have been involved in the formation of a number of Fresh Expressions of Church, both from a planning and organisational point of view and actually leading the venture week by week. I also run the Fresh Expressions Regional Forum along with colleagues from the Church of England. This meets regularly to share support those involved in Fresh Expressions and to encourage new people to get on board.

Faith Sharing
My 'Faith-Sharing for Cowards' course has been used in a number of circuits and will be further developed over time to take into consideration the changing attitudes within society. Faith-Sharing today is about building relationships outside of church and simply being yourself whilst prayerfully allowing the Holy Spirit to work in and through those relationships.

The course which I have developed borrows from the established courses like 'Lost for Words' but adds a contemporary flavour of how to understand the spiritual, postmodern age in which we live today.

Renewal Initiatives
I work alongside circuits (or individual churches if there is a special need) to help determine how the Spirit is moving people forward and opening up new opportunities for mission. This involves a period of prayerful reflection initiated by a Vision Day, Circuit Service or teaching sessions. When a vision for the future has emerged we set about the task of planning, training and resourcing people.

Evangelism Bulletins and Web Site
I have developed a network of people across the district and beyond who now receive regular email bulletins on evangelism and related topics. If you wish to join this network, please email me. I am always open to suggestions of topics to be included in these bulletins. Past copies of these bulletins can be viewed and printed from this web site.

One aspect of the District Evangelsim Web Site which has emerged recently is the Newsroom. A new technology - syndication - has crept into web sites across the world. This is a facility whereby information can be exchanged instantly between web sites without the web designer having to do anything to make it happen, other than set the system up in the first place. Have a look at the Newsroom on this site to see how this works. You can instantly access a whole host of news from around the globe, all from one page. You will see the symbol on many web sites which offer this facility. If you know how to set up your own newsroom, then you are welcome to include my Evangelism Bulletins. It's good to know that Methodism is at the forefront of this movement.

Alpha, Youth Alpha or Essence Courses
Running a successful Alpha or Essence course requires careful planning and training in order to reap the maximum benefit and impact. I offer Leadership Training for both of these.

In terms of Alpha, I have led a number of courses both inside and outside of church and will be happy to offer leadership training. I am also available to lead the Holy Spirit Away Day or Weekend along with the Healing session for both the adult and Youth Alpha.

Essence has been used more and more as people connect with the spiritual age in which we live. It is quite different from Alpha in that it focuses upon spirituality rather than doctrine. However, during the Year of Prayer, many people in our churches have been reawakened to their spirituality and will find this course a welcome addition to their portfolio of activities.

Evangelism Forums / District Events
At least once a year I organise a district-wide event focusing on evangelism or Fresh Expressions of Church. I was asked to pioneer the Year of Prayer (Pray without Ceasing) in the early days and am regularly asked to lead services on prayer. Another focus is Equipping your church in a Spiritual Age where I have been working closely with the Group for Evangelisation (GfE) on promoting this initiative. More recently, I have been working with people with a calling to take the gospel into Mind, Body, Spirit Fairs and will be pleased to come and explain this area of my work.

Vision Days
I have led a number of vision days for circuit leadership teams and for wider audiences, to urge creative thinking in respect of evangelism and new ways of being church. These invariably result in a fuller campaign to renew the life of the circuit and explore new forms of evangelism. It is good for people to get away from their 'home church' setting and look afresh on what's happening now and how God is leading them for the future.

About Me
I am married to Margaret who works part-time in the Leonard Cheshire Home in Lady Bay. Her hobbies include squash, keep-fit and looking after me. We have two children. Andrew lives and works in Vienna and has inherited my love for computing as he works for Coca Cola Computer Services over there. He is a keen photographer and loves snow-boarding. Esther lives in the Meadows and works at a company in north Nottingham, chasing debts from their French customers. She loves working with children, playing the guitar and dancing. My hobbies include travel, photography, music and sport, especially squash, badminton, tennis and (when Derrick Norton is not around) table tennis.