A New Worshipping Community (NWC) is a fresh expression of church established to reach people who are not currently part of any church. It is not simply a new service or a project for existing members; it is a distinct community formed with the intentional purpose of gathering, serving, and worshipping in ways that resonate with modern life.

In our changing world, many people feel that traditional church buildings or Sunday morning services don’t "speak their language." A New Worshipping Community bridges that gap by meeting people exactly where they are—whether that is in a café, a local park, a school, or even online.

The Core Pillars

To be defined as a New Worshipping Community, a gathering typically embodies three core characteristics:

• New: It is a "new thing"—a missional endeavor aimed at reaching a specific social group, neighborhood, or network that is currently "unchurched." It seeks to make new disciples rather than just transferring existing ones.
• Worshipping: While it may look different from a traditional service, the heartbeat of the community is the worship of Jesus Christ. This is expressed through prayer, exploring the Bible, sharing food, and discovering God’s presence in the everyday.
• Community: It is a place of belonging. It is a consistent group of people (meeting at least once a month) who support one another, grow together, and serve their local area.

A "Mixed Ecology" of Church

New Worshipping Communities are part of what is often called a "Mixed Ecology." This means they don’t replace traditional parish churches; instead, they flourish alongside them. Just as a forest is healthier with many different types of plants and trees, the Church is healthier when it has many different ways for people to encounter God.

Common Forms of NWCs

Because they are designed to fit their specific context, no two communities look exactly alike. Examples include:

• Forest Church: Engaging with God through nature and the outdoors.
• Café Church: Informal discussions and prayer over coffee and cake.
• School-Based Communities: Gathering families together within the familiar environment of a school.
• Social Justice Groups: Communities that form around a shared passion for helping the vulnerable, where service leads into prayer.

At its heart, a New Worshipping Community is about taking the timeless message of the Gospel and planting it in new soil, allowing a new kind of church to grow.