Since starting in Fife Presbytery a year ago, I have watched and waited patiently. I have walked alongside churches going through change and transition. It is not an easy place to be, and adding outreach into the mix can be stressful. However, God has shown up and given people strength, wisdom, and ideas so that they can make a way, make a difference, and make a community.
There are a few areas that quickly spring to mind!
One of our churches has recently embarked on Forest Church. The focus is very much on enjoying spirituality in the great outdoors. It’s a great way to connect with God and nature. The emphasis is on conversation with each other and with God.
The way that it has grown over the last few months is incredible. It has attracted people who would never step foot in a church building. People who feel anxious about rejection or being judged have started to come along and be involved in the outdoor space.
I’ve spoken to a few people who have attended. A few of them have described awe-inspiring moments in nature where they have felt a deep connection to something bigger than themselves and a connection with the people they are with. Forest Church is a great way to engage and discover that connection within your community.
In a different part of the Presbytery, one of the churches had seen another Church try a new way of church called ‘Chilled Church’. Having been so inspired by it, they decided to give it a go. The first one had over 50 people attend, and we are now on to planning the next one and trying to determine how often they should do it!
Here is the feedback from the first one:
“We felt very blessed to be able to chat with these mums about church life, worship and Jesus’ love, even though we were not members of your congregation”
“We came away from the service feeling really uplifted and encouraged.”
Ideas don’t have to be brand new! Sometimes watching, waiting and observing what others are doing is enough to inspire a change, a flash of inspiration!
In another area of Fife, we have three churches that have become one parish. It has been a long, arduous process, but they have tirelessly worked at it, overcoming issues such as decisions about buildings, where to worship, who does what, and such. However, these congregations have been focused on the Presbytery Plan’s greater outcome.
The new congregation has embarked on a Presbytery-led community audit to ensure that they are asking what the community needs and what they’d like the church to be.
Exciting times ahead as they listen to the community conversation and see where God is leading them.
A fun day has been organised as they launch their joint identity. The joint communities have all been invited to the free event for burgers, bouncy castles and a silent disco! Watch this space as we move to fulfil the local community’s needs.
The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas but in escaping from the old ones.
Isiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.
Lorraine Orr
Mission Director
Fife Presbytery