 Artists, inventors, prophets, and entrepreneurs – new worshiping communities attract some of the most creative, imaginative, and daring leaders in the church today. I stand in awe of the gifts that God provides to the church through new worshiping communities. But sometimes this very inventiveness feels uncomfortable to more traditional Presbyterians. Are our new worshiping communities really being faithful to the gospel or are they undermining our essential foundations?
This newsletter addresses the rich partnership between new worshiping communities and established PC(USA)congregations. Are they a threat to each other or can we celebrate a mutuality of relationship between new and more traditional expressions of church?
 Our sister movement, Fresh Expressions, which involves several denominations in the United Kingdom, uses the phrase “mixed economy” to describe the very phenomenon. One of their foundational premises is that there is one Church of Jesus Christ universal which has many expressions. In any context, but especially during a time of vast cultural transition, the one Church needs both traditional and “fresh” expressions in order to effectively reach the whole culture. Here in the United States, the whole church experiences renewal when new and old worshiping communities work side-by-side. A recent survey of executive presbyters conducted by the Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Research Services, provides some vivid illustrations of this principle of mutuality.
 Over sixty percent of the responding presbyteries had launched at least one new worshiping community since 2010. In about 80% of the cases, a partnership with an established congregation played a crucial role in the support and oversight for the new community. The nature of the partnership varied: 64% of the partner congregations offer financial support; 52% provide session oversight; over 70% support the NWC staff. Volunteers from partner congregations help out in 68% of the cases, and meeting or worship space is shared in over half of the partnerships. It is clear that the new worshiping communities benefit in a variety of ways from the partnerships. In fact, several NWC leaders conclude that they could never have gotten off the ground without the spiritual and financial help of their partner congregations.
 Tamara John, pastor of Hope for Life Chapel says, “Of course, none of this would be possible without the local church.” New worshiping communities can be vulnerable for a much longer period of time than many people imagine, and having the safety net of a partnership can provide space for the NWC to learn, grow, and develop.
 But the surprise blessing has been the new energy and growth experienced by the established congregations and mid-councils that have taken a leap of faith and helped to launch a new worshiping community. Almost 80% of the partnerships have resulted in increased energy and spiritual growth for the established partner congregation. Sixty four percent of the established congregations increased their own engagement with the surrounding community as a direct result of the partnership. But the biggest surprise of all: almost 50% of the partner congregations show some numerical growth as a result of their engagement with the 1001 NWC initiative!
 The Rev. Ken Baker, Executive Presbyter of San Fernando Presbytery has this to say, “The presence of new worshiping communities is an inspiration to the whole presbytery. The new worshiping communities challenge the traditional congregations to engage more intentionally in the world and the traditional congregations challenge the new worshiping communities to really lift up our reformed traditions.”
The Rev. Betty Meadows, Transitional General Presbytery of Charlotte Presbytery concurs, “The new life that is coming from new worshiping communities is affecting all of us.”
When it comes to traditional congregations and new worshiping communities, Steve Yamaguchi, former Presbytery Pastor in Los Ranchos Presbytery concludes, “The fact is, we need both!”
Blessings,
Vera
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