Building Church Together, Where Life Happens

Fresh Expressions of Church in Communities Across Wisconsin

For many, stepping into a church building can feel unfamiliar or even out of reach. So, what might church look like if it met people where they already are?

Through a partnership with Luther Seminary’s Faith+Lead program, Siebert Lutheran Foundation supported a learning cohort designed to explore this very idea. Launched in July 2024, the cohort brought together 30 leaders from eight ELCA congregations and ministries across the state. Over the course of a year, participants engaged in in-person training and virtual coaching, each developing a practical plan to experiment with new forms of ministry in their local context.

These efforts, known as “Fresh Expressions” of church, move beyond traditional models to create spaces of connection in everyday settings. Rather than inviting people into existing structures, these ministries take shape where life already happens—among neighbors, in shared activities, and within communities often disconnected from church.

The results have been both creative and deeply relational. New expressions have emerged in a variety of settings, including gatherings for families with neurodivergent children, singing hymns with residents at an assisted living facility, and yoga classes that incorporate prayer and reflection. Each reflects a simple but powerful shift: church as something built with people, not just for them.

At Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Seymour, a group called Neurospicy Neighborhood now brings together parents of children with special needs for connection and support. What began with uncertainty has grown into a meaningful community that offers participants a sense of belonging and shared understanding.

Lynette Stoneburner, who helped launch this group, says, "You don't build the table and then invite people to the table. You build the table as people are coming, and you build it together."

Innovation in ministry does not require perfection—only presence, listening, and a willingness to respond. Through its partnership with Faith+Lead, Siebert is helping Lutheran congregations reimagine how they engage their communities, building capacity for new approaches that extend the reach of the Gospel in relevant and life-giving ways.