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Pioneer Ministry & Fresh Expressions of Church

Reviewed by Emma Maggs.

This is a useful introduction to new ways of doing church, both for individuals looking to initiate and lead pioneer ministry and for churches thinking of resourcing such a ministry.  It is written very much with the Anglican and Methodist context in mind, and its language is inspired by the Church of England’s 2004 report Mission-Shaped Church.  The writer explores helpful principles, however, which are equally applicable to other church traditions.  The most interesting aspect of the book for me was Shier-Jones’ emphasis on the benefits to be gained when a fresh expression of church is initiated, resourced and supported by a more traditional church.  I was less convinced by her arguments for holding a fresh expression of church within a traditional church building; however, on the whole I found the book provided much stimulus for prayerful reflection.