NEW self-paced course
 
This six-week online course explores the theology and practice of cultivating Fresh Expressions of Church in a post-Christendom context. Rooted in missional ecclesiology, Wesleyan grace, and contextual theology, the course invites students to discern how to join God’s mission by forming innovative Christian communities that emerge alongside inherited churches. Through readings, video lectures, case studies, fieldwork, and reflection, students will develop theological frameworks and practical strategies to reimagine the church for today’s world.
 
Course learning objectives
 
Recognize major changes in today’s world—like family, money, and technology—and how they affect the church’s mission.
Explain how God’s love and teamwork (the Trinity) shapes the way we think about church and mission.
Discover new ways of doing church that work in everyday places like coffee shops, gyms, or online groups.
Learn how to share the Bible and sacraments (like communion and baptism) in creative, meaningful ways outside of traditional churches.
 
Course outline
 
Module One: The New Mission Reality
Module Two: Adaptive Ecclesiology and the Spirit in the Space of Flows
Module Three: Mission as Being Drawn into Trinitarian Life
Module Four: A New Priesthood—Pioneer Ministry
Module Five: Masterpiece Beneath the Mess—Cultivating Grace-Centered Communities in a Lonely World
Module Six: Scripture and Sacrament—Offering Christ in Fresh Expressions
Conclusion
 
Required text

An Ecumenical Field Guide for Fresh Expressions (Abingdon Press, 2024) by Michael Adam Beck. Additional open-access articles and videos provided in each module.
 
Presenter
 
Dr. Michael Adam Beck is Director of Fresh Expressions for The United Methodist Church. A scholar-practitioner at the intersection of theology and sociology, Dr. Beck also serves as a graduate instructor in the Department of Sociology at the University of Florida. He teaches as adjunct faculty at several theological institutions, including Duke Divinity School, Candler School of Theology, Perkins School of Theology, United Theological Seminary, Palmer Theological Seminary, and Wesley Theological Seminary. In addition to his academic work, Dr. Beck co-pastors two United Methodist congregations in Florida, which serve as hubs for inpatient recovery housing and innovative missional communities. He is the author of 18 books and a nationally recognized thought leader in the Fresh Expressions movement.