Called to be bridge builders

THE Rev Dr Doug Gay, Principal of Trinity College, Glasgow, in his Chalmers Lectures of 2017 (see page 39) suggested that the role of congregations in church polity must be revised for a changing culture.

Quoting a line from G D Henderson’s book Presbyterianism, he said: “It may be that Presbyterianism asked too much, (of the congregation), and gave too little.” Gay confessed that he found himself somewhat haunted by Henderson’s remarks.

I found myself thinking, could it be that kirk sessions, and presbyteries, have used congregations to fill outdated functions that have been time consuming and ineffective, rather than being about creating disciples?

If we are to grow a new generation it seems to me that the Church of Scotland must re-envision the place and voice of the congregation. We need to inspire the people of God to realise that worship must not only inform but refresh and empower our mission as God’s people wherever we are called to serve. Perhaps we have not asked enough? Discipleship should be demanding.

Certainly many lapsed and even regular Sunday worshippers might agree. Too often our congregations could be described as nothing more than passive observers in a one way hymn prayer sandwich liturgy, which bears little relevance to the every day struggles of life in a broken and needy world. Our mission is to make followers into disciples of Jesus transforming communities worldwide.

It is only when we as the church understand we have been called by our Lord to think globally that we can truly call ourselves disciples. I am coming to believe that the rise of communication technology, bringing about a greater global awareness of injustice and poverty, might just be God at work holding before our generation a new way to participate in bringing about the Kingdom of God in our time.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg last month laid out a vision for his company to serve as a global bridge-building organisation. He was responding to those who are beginning to question the benefits of globalisation. It is easy to understand why extremists on the right and the left of politics promote policies of isolationism. However, it is not politics that drives globalisation. It is technology. The facts are clear, communication technologies are developing so fast that it is impossible to turn the clock back and live our lives in splendid isolation from each other.

Zuckerberg suggested that Facebook could move far beyond its roots as a communication network for friends and families, and could play a role in strengthening traditional institutions, to providing help during and after crises, and encouraging civic engagement.

For me, this is another door that is opening into our world to create opportunities where the gospel of hope and forgiveness and reconciliation can be shared. There is much that we can learn and adopt and adapt from the social media companies when it comes to making connections with others in search of meaning and hope. We too are called to be bridge-builders.

It is time for a simple mission strategy, to be agreed by all, one that has its roots in the New Testament and in fact is credited with growing the church. In the Acts of the

Apostles we are told that the early disciples gossiped the gospel. Perhaps more of our congregations need to begin to gossip the gospel among friends and family.

It is surely the honest witness of our daily actions that speaks with greater volume than any organised strategy for church growth, when others see what Christ has done in our lives. Like bees round the honey pot they will swarm.

Tweeting and Facebook posting are surely wonderful tools we can use as individuals and communities to gossip the gospel and begin to turn followers into disciples.

When this happens, we discover that our mission experience begins to transform our worship into a living sacrifice which is our reasonable service.

The Very Rev Albert Bogle is a Pioneer Minister of Sanctuary First Church Online www.sanctuaryfirst.org.uk

This article appears in the April 2017 Issue of Life and Work

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