COMMENT

The Very Rev Dr Albert Bogle describes how the Church of Scotland can truly become churches without walls as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.

A GREAT deal has been written about the future of the Church of Scotland as an institution, but not so much has been written about the future that lies ahead for local congregations.

Even when local congregations have been instructed to think about their future only a very few have grasped the fact that it need not be a nettle to grasp but an opportunity to transform the communities in which we live and serve.

I think much of this reluctance in the past has been because of the spiritual significance we attached to our buildings. We have feared building closures because we see this as a retreat and failure of our faith and commitment to the community of the faith.

Our faith and relationship with Jesus we know goes far beyond church walls. But, if we are honest we have paid lip-service to the notion of God’s people being the church. Instead, when we have spoken of church, it has often been referring to our buildings. I have a feeling lockdown has helped our understanding of Church enabling us to understand the importance of our church family rather than our church buildings and it is my prayer local congregations will begin to nurture our new-found relationships beyond church walls.

Another reason why we have been reluctant to think about the future of local church is that it involves ministers and kirk sessions in neighbouring parishes speaking with each other and exploring what it means to be interdependent partners in mission and worship. This requires a willingness to listen to each other, to discover what the Holy Spirit is saying to the people of God in our communities regardless of their denomination or attendance at services in church buildings. It can be challenging and disturbing, to think beyond our personal needs, demanding a great deal of humility to accommodate different points of view and theologies of mission.

We all need to guard against the manoeuvring for power that can take place at a time like this when the church is deconstructing and reconstructing. All sorts of people can naively find themselves being influenced by a point of view that in their heart of hearts they know is completely wrong. Yet the influence that well-meaning people can wield in our church communities goes far beyond what is healthy and godly and we all need to be aware of this temptation and ensure that we are not exerting undue influence on others.

However we must not lose heart. I believe many individuals who have been silent in the past are finding a voice. They are discovering a new confidence in prayer and a greater understanding of their identity in Christ since they left is the way church buildings. It is like an awakening from a deep sleep has occurred. They will never view church the same again and I believe they are ready to share and shape a new vision for the local church community across denominations. They understand the future of the church depends not on buildings but on each Christian realising they have been mandated by our Lord to share their faith in humility with others. It is the realisation that God is at work in the world already, speaking into the lives of our neighbours and friends and family members.

“The online church has re-defined local church as no longer local but glocal (global and local).

In future when we talk of church we need to think past buildings and denominations. We need to be more flexible. Christian believers might not always be able to attend set worship times in person for a variety of reasons.

The growth of online church will continue to contribute to the mission and discipleship of the local church community. I’m also certain that we will reassess the importance of an online presence to consolidate the communion of the people of God helping us to create a worldwide fellowship.

The online church has re-defined local church as no longer local but glocal (global and local). While we see decline in the western church structures and her institutions; interest in spiritual ideas and a longing after mystery are still a great part of the human condition and a national renewal of Christian faith can I believe begin to flourish.

As we begin to return to buildings let none of us slip back into the old habits. We have all been taught a salutary lesson and we are truly a church without walls. We carry the fellowship of Christ into every life situation leaving his fragrance behind us.