Over my 18 months in post, I have been inspired by the missional ideas bubbling up in Glasgow Presbytery and the courageous heart congregations have for reaching out to their communities with the Good News of Jesus. My role is to facilitate and support mission, pioneering and planting. I have been encouraged by churches seeking to listen and respond prayerfully to their contexts, bravely stepping outside their comfort zones into something different that might connect with their parishes in new ways.
One church in the east of the city has trialled Café Church over the summer, where folks gathered round tables and a cuppa to try a more relaxed and informal type of service. Yet the challenge to lean into fellowship and thought-provoking discussion questions on the Bible passage brought some uplifting feedback – significant numbers of worshippers reported enjoying the change, the creativity, the friendliness and the way it brought more depth and clarity to their engagement with the Bible. Most wanted to retain this type of service at least monthly and could see how it was more inclusive for families and newcomers, making everyone feel welcomed and accepted. ‘Enjoyable, fun, different’ seemed to sum up the responses.
In the north of the Presbytery, one congregation has been adapting ideas from Messy, Café and Sweaty Church formats, blending them together into a monthly format called Weekend Welcome, which takes place after school on a Friday, usually once a month during term time. Snacks in the café area welcome families after 3pm with games and creative activities leading into songs and a short, interactive Bible time. It finishes with a meal where families can continue to explore the text in relation to their lives. The Sunday service also uses the same text to weave the new worshipping community with the existing one.
In the west of the city, some churches are using courses to help people explore the Christian faith. ‘Being With’ was devised at St Martin in the Fields by Sam Wells and Sally Hitchiner to be a course where people wonder together about Jesus, the Bible, prayer and church. It uses an asset-based model where everyone can share on the topics facilitated by the host, and there are no wrong answers. Another church is running Mandarin Alpha for a second time this year; another ‘Take Time’ which is a contemplative series.
Training continues to be widely taken up for Renew Wellbeing, a movement of prayer and hospitality that is simple and effective. Ruth Rice came to Glasgow in April, and an ecumenical gathering representing 24 different churches met to hear her share her story of needing to resource her own wellbeing and how the movement developed in partnership with mental health teams to create safe, inclusive spaces for all. I was privileged to be able to visit a southside Renew Café. There was a relaxed, friendly and peaceful atmosphere in the hall with the choice to engage in various activities or simply enjoy some coffee and snacks, while the prayer space adjacent to this provided opportunities to engage with faith in short and simple ways or even just to sit in silence.
This is just a small sample of mission being undertaken here, and we try to share other mission stories through our Facebook page and annual conference, covering the Five Marks of Mission in a variety of ways. Foodbanks and fun days, warm spaces and walking groups, contemplation and creative arts all form a beautiful patchwork of outreach, and one I hope will continue to grow in helping Glasgow flourish.
Heather Thorp
Planting and Pioneering Co-ordinator
Presbytery of Glasgow