Lesley Hamilton-Messer of the church’s Faith Action Programme asks how churches can develop the ‘mission habit’.

IN previous articles we’ve looked at the pathway used by Fresh Expressions: Listening, Loving and Serving, Building Community and Forming Church. There is one more step on the journey though – Do it Again!

The church is a living entity, as is each community and congregation within it. Like all living things it wants to grow, develop and – crucially – reproduce. In the church that means both seeing new disciples in our existing churches, and new congregations emerging to become communities of faith for those beyond the reach of our current models.

The pace of change in our society is increasing – and that means that what we heard and responded to just a few years ago may no longer be relevant. Communities shift and demographics change; needs and resources fluctuate; national and international events impact our lives and priorities. We can’t assume that what we knew back then still holds true, or that our neighbours are the same as they once were. Thus, while previously a single type or expression of church, placed in a particular location, was set up for durability and longevity, in our fluid society this stability doesn’t always equate to fruitfulness.

If we are serious about growing the church – about being fruitful, rather than merely tenacious - we need to make the shift from doing a mission project, to having a continuous missional posture, aware of changes in the communities we are part of, alert to opportunities, and able to hear and respond to them and to the call of God.

“ Communities shift and demographics change; needs and resources fluctuate; national and international events impact our lives and priorities.

The good news is that once we have done this once, we don’t have to relearn the skills, and opportunities will arise for more of the people in our congregations to use their gifts and skills, and to develop new ones. This in turn often strengthens and deepens the faith of those involved, and builds deeper their relationships with one another.

Story

Stockethill Church in Aberdeen started out as a New Charge Development congregation. That means that they themselves were a new church plant within the Church of Scotland. History shows us that it could take 10 to 15 years for the congregation to reach a point where it could move to ‘full status’ as a Parish Church. The congregation hadn’t got to that point yet, but were already on the pathway to planting their first fresh expression of church. By the time they reached full status, they had moved from being a small team of church planters to a church with three distinct congregations – and all without ever having their own building. The story of this journey is inspiring and can be found on their website at www.stockethillchurch.org.uk.

From mission to missional

Developing the mission habit doesn’t happen overnight, and it doesn’t happen by accident. It requires the intent and the will to do so, a willingness to bear the cost of change, and wise leadership. And yes, lots and lots of prayer.

The Mission Support Group within Faith Action exists to encourage and enable congregations and presbyteries in their understanding and development of mission. We can offer support in a variety of contexts from Priority Areas to the international church, and provide help to navigate necessary changes.   

For more information, please contact us at FaithNurture@churchofscotland.org.uk or priorityareas@churchofscotland.org.uk