Accessible.....

I have been talking with a relative who was concerned that a walking church is not accessible to all - her view is that all should be able to go to church, and clearly those unable to walk distances would not find a walking church too helpful. It turned into a conversation about how accessible the inherited church is. For some people, the inherited church is their family - a place of support, encouragement and worshipping God. Yet I have met many people recently who are unable to access the inherited church for many reasons. Some because children have other committments such as sport or visiting another parent or relative, some because their partner is not a Christian and Sunday church is difficult, some because they work on a Sunday, and for others it is the only day for the family. For still others, the very model used by the inherited church makes the style, leadership and form of church inaccessible. In this pluaristic society we need differing forms of church - all ok in their own way. Differing forms of communities centred around Christ. Anthony Reddie speaks about what church is - I will go and do some reading.

Celtic Pilgrimages

I am on the isle of Man at the moment, where there is a rich tapestry of viking and celtic heritage. I have been speaking to a couple who go on Keeill walks of prayer. These go to places of Celtic worship sites as a pilgrimage. Keeills are small, and so the communities must have worshipped God while in the open air. A facinating insight that a walking church is actually nothing new - the Celtic communities prayed where they were - the were incarnational - God was known to be everywhere.

Confusion and pain

I love the concept of the walking church - I love the journey it has taken me on - I am able to be with God on our walks in a way I never (or rarely) engage with God in church services - but where is it leading? Am I on a lifeboat rowing away from the Titanic in order to survive and continue my journey of faith with God - or will the ropes between the boat I am on and the Titanic remain in-tact - and even become stronger with a richness developing between the inherited church and the emerging church. There is pain in the journey - a move away from inherited church in order to continue my discipleship with Christ. It is a pain I have heard in the voices of others, only recognised after a long period of struggle where no one seems to understand....