REVIEWS

REWILDING THE CHURCH

Written by: Steve Aisthorpe

Published by: Saint Andrew Press

Price: £16.99

During the enforced lockdown created by the Coronavirus Covid-19 pandemic traffic dropped, areas of grass generally tidied up by contractors and local authorities were left and residents noticed an increasing volume of wildlife appearing.

Land and communities experienced a ‘rewilding’ and found new wildlife appeared, some welcome.

Could the same principle also be applied to church life, which has essentially become part of manmade structures? Aisthorpe poses the question: what would happen if the structures disappeared?

The premise for the book is fascinating and is perhaps best spelled out by the author: ‘This is not another ‘how to’ book on church. The litany of ecclesiastical self-help resources does not require further additions….increasingly in my personal reflections and in the conversations I have week by week with Christian leaders and local congregations I find myself wondering: what if the pathway towards transformation is not about doing more but less…. What if, instead of trying to grow and develop church, we focus on following Jesus, being the people he wants to be and see what happens?’

The book is divided into ten chapters, perhaps offering an outline on how a ‘rewilding’ might take place focussing on areas including history, travelling light and growing relationships.

It offers a vision of a freer Church with the simple message of ‘Follow Me’ at its heart and will offer inspiration to weary congregations seeking fresh direction and impetus as they move forward with their journey together.

Warm endorsement of the book has come from a distinguished list across Christian denominations, including the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair who eloquently establishes the premise for the book: ‘This is not a book for those who are looking for ‘business as usual’. It’s for those who are prepared to give way to a leading of the Spirit. It’s for those who are prepared to ‘pause, consider, pray’ about where we’re being called to.’

Whilst written in a Church of Scotland context, warm endorsement for the work has come from other Christian denominations.

FAITH IN CHILDREN

Written by: Ronni Lamont

Published by: Monarch

Price: £9.99

The author is a former teacher, a vicar and is currently a Faith and Nurture Advisor at the diocese of Canterbury, whilst also an accredited Godly Play teacher.

In this book she considers how education for children in an Anglican setting (but the same could apply to the Church of Scotland) is largely delivered by volunteers and considers whether they are provided with opportunities to delve deeper and explore principles of child development and faith formation.

It is a practical guide for those engaging with children in churches and offers some valuable insights into effectively communicating the Christian message to a new generation but is also a reminder of how the smallest people in churches also have lessons for their teachers and adult church family.

THROUGH A GLASS DARKLY

Journeys through Science, Faith & Doubt

A Memoir

Written by: Alister McGrath

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Price: £14.99

Alister McGrath has been one of the authors I have admired greatly as I’ve waded through the many books submitted each month for review. He has contributed hugely to public debates on faith, science and challenging anti-faith advocates. But, according to his publishers, he anticipates this work will be his last.

Beautifully written (as always), this book is a personal one: sharing his journey from atheism to faith as a scientist, beginning as a child with a growing interest in science (which led to a change in schools to allow his talent to flourish and grow), which led to life as a boarder in Belfast and his application to Oxford and acceptance on a scholarship to study chemistry. His account of the interview will be familiar to many who have undergone a rigorous process in academia, challenging him and leaving him unsure of failure or success – until an unexpected card dropped through the door of the family home in Belfast indicating he had been offered a scholarship, followed by a letter confirming his place at Oxford.

It was during his time at Oxford that he encountered his moment of epiphany as he delved deeper into science and found the answer in Christianity – eventually in the following term – discovering C S Lewis – and the clarity he had been searching for in his faith journey.

His evident scientific prowess led to a prestigious scholarship and an opportunity to pursue what he identifies as ‘my heart’s desire – to study theology properly’.

Whilst tracing his faith journey, the clear message throughout is the maintenance of an open mind – and accepting opportunities.

Christian readers will see McGrath’s path as a preordained journey with opportunity that he did not anticipate at every turn – and in the final section of the book, McGrath himself endeavours to make sense of his journey.

As always, the book is readable and written in McGrath’s flowing – but compelling style. It is a fascinating account of his journey from schoolboy scientist to public theologian.

This article appears in the October 2020 Issue of Life and Work

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