Whether traditional in form or an innovative fresh expression, the common task of the church is to help people to see God, themselves and the world as never before. So said the Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, at a Fresh Expressions conference held in Oxford on Friday to explore the question of how the ‘mixed economy’ of church might work in practice. Mixed economy is a term first coined by Dr Williams referring to the coexistence of fresh expressions and ‘inherited’ forms of church. Addressing Fresh Expressions practitioners from across the UK, the Archbishop explained his vision of the mixed economy as one in which churches in their various forms work alongside one another in helping people encounter Jesus, and discipling them at whatever stage in their faith journeys they may be at. The Archbishop suggested that the starting point for every church and every fresh expression was the encounter between Jesus and others. Pray: for the church as it considers how best to spread the Gospel message to widely diverse audiences. (Mk.16:15)