LONDON -- All over the United Kingdom something new is happening in the country's churches.

Christians are stepping out in faith and starting new initiatives for people who are right outside the church as it is currently. Known as Fresh Expressions, the new outreach is a Church of England and Methodist Church initiative.

Some of the new initiatives -- 'fresh expressions of church' -- are for young people and children; some are for the elderly and housebound, and some are for families. Some are for everyone, says a website dedicated to the new moves within the Church.

The site says: "These fresh expressions of church meet on different days of the week. They meet in different places: schools and cafés, residential homes, gyms and pubs, as well as churches.

"Most are started by ordinary Christian people who simply want to offer something to the communities in which they live and work."

In 2004 the Church of England and the Methodist Church agreed to work together to encourage this new movement of mission.

According to a media advisory, last week’s General Synod of the Church of England debate on fresh expressions commended the work of Church Army evangelists in playing a key role in fresh expressions. The debate centered around one of the largest pieces of legislation to pass through Synod for 20 years, a motion to facilitate change in church organization at both parish and diocesan level to allow fresh expressions to develop more freely. The Synod commended the good work being done by Church Army as crucial to fresh expressions.

Chaired by the Rt. Revd. Michael Langrish, the Bishop of Exeter, the debate highlighted the work of Church Army, in particular Ben Edson for his work with Sanctus 1 emerging church project, based in Manchester, and Andy Milne for his work with Sorted, a thriving fresh expression of church for young people interested in skateboarding and works across three parishes in Bradford.

During the debate, Church Army’s work was praised by the Bishop of Exeter who recognized the key role it has to play in fresh expression.

Steven Croft, Archbishops’ Missioner and Director of Fresh Expressions, also praised Church Army, adding in his speech, "The significant progress which has been made is due to a number of agencies and central church bodies being willing to work together and combine their energies for the common good.

Croft went on to say:"The partnership with the Methodist Church has been a positive fruit of the Covenant process both nationally and locally. Church Army in particular has played a key role both nationally and locally along with CMS, CPAS and Anglican Church Planting Initiatives and New Way. By God’s grace much has been and is being accomplished – most of all at local level but there is an urgent need for dioceses and the national church to give continued and renewed commitment to this focus and priority in the coming years."

Synod member Peter Bruinvels, a former Church Army board member also drew attention to the involvement of Church Army in fresh expressions.