T h r o u g h t h e K e y h o l e: Church in Community
Research study on the value of church in community
Based on the views of the ‘unchurched’
C o n t e n t s
Introduction
(Mis)Understanding Faith
Background
Past Experiences of Church
Likes and Dislikes
Church in Community
Church as added value
Changes
The Challenge for the Churches
Practical ways of ‘Being Church’ in Community
Education
Sermon
Communication
Secret Worshipper
Conclusion
I n t r o d u c t i o n
Over the past two years ACTS Mission Network has been looking into the processes and procedures involved in the provision of worship in areas of new development. This work has provided engagement with those from the Scottish Government who have been most helpful, not only in their guidance, advice and information, but also in their willingness to be open and honest about many of the issues facing the churches today.
In the preparatory work leading up to the Being Church Conference in May 2008 we were shocked to discover that the churches were officially classed as ‘bad neighbours’. This had arisen from complaints by the public about the churches’ anti-social behaviour! It is the car parking situation on Sunday mornings, the crowds church can attract, the loud hymn singing, bell ringing – and so on which has brought complaints to local authorities and objections to planning applications. So Church, therefore, was not seen as something which might ‘add value’ to any new development. After consultation with the Scottish Government we were fortunately able to have this view overturned after showing the potential value church offers to the community.
However, new planning legislation requires a stronger element in community value, not just from those involved in church, but the community as a whole. And while many of the clubs and groups offered in church are enjoyed and supported by those who already attend church, what are they offering those who do not? The new planning laws are clear, church must now show added value to the wider community, regardless of whether the community attend church or not, if it is likely to receive favourable consideration in outline planning in the future.
So, what value is church to today’s communities? Is church something people feel belongs to an era of long ago? Is it something of value or is it something we can all do without? Network Officer, Shona Paterson, as part of the Research Working Group, on behalf of the Mission Network of ACTS, set out to discover from those who do not normally attend church, exactly what they think about it and how much value they place on it in the community. What keeps them away? What is it they like and don’t like? How much do they understand? The results have been interesting, amusing, sad and everything in between. Fifty Five people were interviewed from a range of venues, cities, towns, villages - people of all ages (from 18 to 92) and from all backgrounds.
Thanks go to Revd Peter Macdonald who allowed Shona to interview customers at his drop in café at St George’s West Church, Edinburgh. Thanks also to Carol Leech from ACTS Scottish Churches’ Rural Group who interviewed a number of people from Argyllshire. An extended thank you should also go to Councillors, Community Councils, work places and through individuals, people known to family, friends and colleagues who were happy to give their views. Finally thanks are given to Revd Douglas Nicol for his helpful comments to this report.
Mis/Understanding Faith
There appears to be a lack of understanding about Christianity and Church membership. 14 of those interviewed considered themselves to be members of a particular denomination despite never having been baptised nor having been through the process to achieve full membership, and many who claimed their ‘religion’ to be that of a certain denomination had very limited experience of that, or any denomination, and often after having attended occasionally through school services or as guests of baptisms, weddings and funerals. Four considered themselves to be Christians, yet said they do not believe in God. Many more believe that to be baptised is an achievement of full church membership. A number of people believe that being kind and compassionate and caring about people makes them good Christians but couldn’t give an explanation to the existence of these qualities in Jews, Muslims, Sikhs or Hindus and others we consider to be of a non-Christian faith.
Is this something we should be alarmed about as churches, or is it merely a ‘cultural’ thing? If we consider how many say they ‘support’ a particular team, whether it be football, rugby, hockey, or whatever, without being an official member of that club, or pay to watch their games does it equate to the same misconception? Does ‘membership’ of anything simply mean to the majority that they prefer that particular group for their own reasons, however uninformed their choice may be?
Revd Douglas Nicol, Secretary of the Church of Scotland’s Mission and Discipleship Council, believes that ‘One of the many challenges facing the churches today is that of seeking to be ‘membership’ of organisations when the mood of the times is ‘loyalty’ rather than ‘membership’.
He added, ‘Well do I remember my Mother being a ‘member’ of the local Co-op and the day twice a year when the ‘dividend’ enabled us to buy new shoes or a new winter coat. In the Fifties people ‘joined’ organisations – they became ‘members’. Over the years since then ‘membership’ has been replaced by ‘loyalty’ and our local supermarkets don’t ask us now to become ‘members’ – rather they issue us with ‘loyalty’ cards.’
Interestingly of the 55 people interviewed, 25 said they believed in God, although 5 of these weren’t sure how relevant God was to church; 15 said they believed in ‘Something’; eight were not sure at all and seven said they did not believe in God or anything. Four of the seven who said they don’t believe in anything state lack of evidence as the reason for this compared to the ‘overwhelming scientific evidence of creation, life and the planets’.*
*survey comment
Background
None of those interviewed fully understood much of what church is about, yet the findings show that everyone had some experience of church and some religious grounding at varying levels and stages throughout their life, whether in school and through school, or from a social perspective attending functions and/or by accompanying relatives or friends to Sunday worship. Many had once been members of Sunday School and a number had/have parents or grandparents who were/are ministers, elders or active members of a church. While most people showed an awareness of different denominations they were unclear what the differences mean and why they exist. Asked to name as many denominations they could, the results were interesting:
‘Others’* were made up of; Anglican (7); Pentecostal (5); Quaker (5); Synagogues (6); Spiritualist Church (3); Christian Fellowship (2); Wesleyan (2); Congregational Federation (3); Orthodox (3); United Reformed Church (2); Evangelical (2); Non-conformist Church (1); The Salvation Army (1); High Church (1); Plymouth Brethren (1); Moonies (1); Scientology (1); Corrisians (1); Christian Fellowship (1); The All together Church (1); Church of Ireland (3); Buddhist (1); Masons (1).
Although the Salvation Army represents a model most people feel church should be like,** almost all said they had heard of the Salvation Army but had not realised it was a church. It is generally thought of as an ‘organisation’.
Almost all of those interviewed had not read the Bible. Some had read parts but many had not read anything. This, some said was because it was too difficult to follow, not easy to read or understand, adding if it was written in modern day language they might read it sometime. Their knowledge and understanding seems solely based on stories told relating to:
*given answers to the question ** see ‘Church as added value’,
1. The Immaculate Conception
2. The Christmas Story
3. Stories of Jesus
4. The Easter story
Almost all had heard these stories through Sunday School or through the State School system. Further knowledge had come from plays or films such as ‘Joseph and his Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat’; ‘The Passion’; ‘Jesus of Nazareth’ and were mostly enjoyed.
However, it would seem that while much of what had been learned and understood at a young age had since been rejected or was at the least ‘in question’ by conflicting theories and stories delivered in adult years bringing comments such as :
1. The Immaculate Conception: ‘Mary was probably about 15 and was only accepted as a virgin because it would have been unthinkable to be other than that at that time and at that age. However, sex outside marriage was not unusual as heard in stories about Mary Magdalene. Relating this now to modern life makes it difficult to accept.’
(86 year old male)
2. The Christmas Story: Well known, well accepted. The foundation of many people’s Christian knowledge. Now, adulthood congregations are told, ‘well there was probably no wise men and there couldn’t have been stars and anyway it wasn’t December, no ‘when the snow lay all about, deep and crisp and even’ - it was about the end of March – and probably roasting hot. The date was apparently changed because of a Pagan celebration at the same time.’
(female 31)
3. The stories of Jesus and the Easter Story are generally now viewed with scepticism because of the dramatic events and the idea that it would not be believed today if told. “If Jesus came back now and it was reported in the newspapers or on television who would believe it? People often find believing unusual things (which are easily proven to be true) difficult to believe let alone be expected to believe more improbable stories with less evidence and from less reliable sources.”
(male 46)
Past Experiences of Church
Asked about their experiences of church there were thirty five negative comments. Phrases used often were ‘boring’ and ‘out of touch’, or ‘old fashioned’. Some felt their experience had been ‘depressing’ and some felt it was ‘cold, dull and uninviting or unwelcoming’. Many had been forced to go as children or young adults and a few had encountered bad personal experiences. Only twelve described their experience as positive and eight felt ‘indifferent’.
Many of the bad experiences related to the people who attend church provoking a common description of those who attend church as ‘self-righteous’ or ‘those who attend seeking respect but who in reality display few Christian values or principles’. Most see church as a place where old people can go to; one of the few places where old people can meet those of their own age; a safe place they can belong to and attend in daylight.
If the church tends to attract mainly older people as it is suggested, ‘the only place to meet in a safe environment, and in daylight hours,’ what then would the threat to church be if secular groups were to provide alternative places for old people to meet and participate in other than church on a Sunday morning? How many would still choose to attend church? Interestingly, it is this which is relevant to many young people, who are already making this choice. While many described the type of people who go to church as ‘caring and kind’ there were more negative descriptions which have alienated some who have visited with a view to a more regular attendance. Many felt unwelcome in church, especially unmarried mothers whose child had been refused baptism because of this situation. Some had experienced hostility from members guarding pews, or simply because they were strangers. So, if the church was suddenly to attract crowds of teenagers and young adults, would that stop older people attending? Can there ever be a completely inclusive congregation?
Likes and Dislikes
When asked what people liked most about church ‘the Architecture’ was the most common response, followed by ‘atmosphere – calming and peaceful - ‘even when it’s full’. A few others liked the music, fellowship and the feeling of safety. This was something of a surprise, as it is often felt to the ‘churched’ that it is often the imposing buildings themselves which may make people hesitant to enter.
Asked what people disliked about church the response was more varied. Sharing the top slot of dislikes are:
• Unrealistic views and rules which make it difficult to live up to in today’s world.
• The people who already go who make people feel either uncomfortable or unwelcome.
Next came a sharing of two others:
• Sermons which are either too long, uninteresting, have too much talking and/or are monotonous
• The contradiction of what is told or understood
Among some of the things others mentioned as a ‘dislike’ was that church can sometimes be uncomfortable or cold; their opening times are too restrictive; and ‘the way the church deals with, or rather doesn’t deal with crime and sins within the clergy’.
Church in Community
Interview results showed that people have very little idea of what church does and doesn’t do in community. Most of those interviewed said their local minister spent most of his time visiting, either the sick at home or in hospital, or to schools. Less than five people mentioned ‘outreach’, ‘paperwork’ or ‘meetings’. Many said their minister was ‘invisible within the community’. One man remarked that ‘you never see the minister as part of the pub quiz team, or the darts team.’ When asked what their local church was involved in the majority of people spoke of fundraising through sales and coffee mornings or fetes. A few said they were only visible in the community when they were looking for money. Hardly anyone mentioned overseas aid projects, hand bell or choir practice or inter church work and bible study groups.
Church as added value
Before conducting this research the group wondered what value, if any, the secular community might place on the church. Indeed, possible outcomes to this research may have shown that today’s communities don’t feel that church is necessary any more – that it adds nothing to the value of a modern community – that it had somehow ‘outgrown’ its purpose in today’s world.
Pleasingly 99% of those interviewed said they valued the role of church in the community. People recognised it as a valuable place to come together as a community in times of local or national grief, as well as an important venue for weddings, christenings and funerals. They enjoyed the ‘pastoral care’ and feeling of ‘comfort’. Many also saw it as a ‘safe haven’ especially for the elderly, often commenting ‘where else and what else is there for old folk which is not church provided or linked?’
Disappointingly however, no-one recognised the churches’ value simply as a place of worship, and no-one thought they might come into the presence of God or have a spiritual experience! Almost everyone said they felt that church was ‘a bit like an exclusive club’ – there was lots going on but no-one was sure what and whatever it might be it was available only for members. It is felt that today’s church should be more inclusive, more involved in community as a whole (like the Salvation Army). The churches’ wonderful reputation for pastoral care should be lived out in action and extended to the wider community, especially to the old, the disabled and the sick – but also to the young, to young parents, married or single. An overwhelming number of people said that the church ‘hides behind doors expecting people to come through’ adding ‘they sometimes put up signs or deliver leaflets but seldom do you see anyone to speak to’. The majority of people said that church ‘should be more like Jesus was, they should go out into the community, being active Christians, being kind, friendly and supportive to everybody and show they mean it’. If they did this, many thought that more people may feel confident enough to attend on a Sunday.
Changes
Much of the discussion about what people would like to change in today’s church provoked lots of ideas. Everyone had a comment, many offered more than one comment when asked which one thing they would change, the answers of which are shown in the chart below. People would like to see the church more relative to the way people live today, change the rules which are difficult to relate to or live up to and give a constant feeling of inadequacy or failure. The idea of attending at a certain time on a certain day each week clearly doesn’t suit the majority. While many see this as tradition, others see it as a classic ‘relic from the past’ set in an era when non-one worked on Sundays, most people didn’t have cars, public transport didn’t run, there were no shops open, and nothing else to do. Older people remember the Sunday routine, one recalling,
“It was the only thing to do on a Sunday. We all had our (weekly) bath on a Sunday for Church, we put on our best clothes while mum prepared the lunch – then we all went as a family while the roast cooked. If there was time, and the weather was good, we took the long walk there and back.”
(female age 66)
What People Would Change
Others would like to see church being a positive experience, simple with explanations making it relevant to the way we live today. Interaction was mentioned, use those in the congregation with talents, let them sing, or put on a play, or play a musical instrument to change the tempo of the Service. Bottom line – make it an enjoyable experience, be encouraging not depressing.
However, a number of people said that church shouldn’t change. It should be valued for the unique position in holds in our society. That if people chose to go to church then they should do so accepting the church for what it is. Unfortunately for some that ‘for what it is’ is simply a venue for baptism, weddings and funerals. So, can church be all things to all people – and should it even try?
The Challenge for the Churches
The Churches clearly have a wonderful opportunity to embrace the communities in which they are based, and it has been shown that communities are open to this. The ways in which the churches can be more open in the community in practical ways are many. If church considered itself to be an important community service, which is what the Scottish Government would like to see, then the churches need to ‘think out of the box’. However it is clear that the value church would then have on its communities would be great. It is recognised that everyone connects with God in different ways:
• Intellectually through books
• Emotionally through celebratory music
• Through painting
• Prayer walks in the outdoors might be the way for others
Is it time for the churches to consider being church in different ways? Should it remain a place of worship or a community support group? Could it be both?
Practical ways of ‘Being Church’ in Community
Below are some of the suggestions of ways of ‘Being Church in Community’:
• Keep buildings open and invite people in at different times – not just on a Sunday.
• Offer worship on different days and times to fit busy people’s lifestyles: eg after the school run, before collecting the kids from school, after school with snacks available for the children.
• It could offer space for children to do ‘their own thing’.
• It could organise social events.
• It could offer to provide services of help in the community in areas where local councils are unable to do this.
• It could take up a seat on community councils and have a say on issues which matter.
• It could develop courses at business venues in dealing with stress and coping with work and family.
• It could offer counselling.
• It could offer prayers locally on a street by street role for those who wish it.
• Look at relevant themes of today’s living.
• Offer to take in parcels for people who are not at home, whether they are members of the church or not.
• Offer short mid-week services.
• Invite those with talents in writing, poetry, singing, music to be involved in the Service.
• Offer pastoral support to local businesses.
• Offer a variety of Services to suit different interests or ages.
• Hold church meetings in the pub or café making the work of the church visible.
• Hold services in the park or on the beach, or as part of a picnic or day away now and again.
• Visit outreach centres as a congregation, volunteering services to those in need with a short service either before or on return.
• Offer lifts to elderly or disabled to hospital appointments, or to visit relatives in hospital.
• Offer to grit paths of the elderly or clear snow for them.
• Allow families to attend church as families without insisting that children should go out to the Sunday School.
• Engage in a wider charity role, not just support ‘Christian organisations’
While many of the practical suggestions made offered good ideas – we have to consider who would do them? In some churches, those who are likely to need help, either with shopping, grass cutting, prescription collecting etc are those already in the church. Therefore the transition of being church in practical ways may not be easy and it may not work in all churches with all congregations, but that shouldn’t prevent it from being tried. Churches should try things and not be put off if they fail the first time round, simply try something else and return to a ‘failed’ idea at another time.
Education
We should look at who teaches in our Sunday Schools. Is the Sunday School teacher qualified? Do they have enough knowledge and religious grounding themselves to be able to offer effective and interesting bible study? Are they good with children? Do they have creative skills? Or are they simply volunteers from the congregation who fancy the idea of playing ‘teacher’ for a day a week? What situation exists within our schools? What interaction does the church have with religious education teachers? Could the churches offer support to them? Could a leaflet, aimed at children, setting out what Church is for, be a good starting point?
There is an education process to be gone through for the unchurched and possibly for some already in the church about the basic tenants of Christianity. Being a Christian is not just about attending Sunday worship but should be seen as a way of life. People should be made to feel that it is perfectly acceptable to attend church now and again without feeling that if they don’t attend every Sunday they are collecting ‘black marks’.
Sermon
The traditional Sermon needs to be considered. Is it too long? How long are you talking for? Think about it in terms of being a speech. How long can you hold people’s interest just by talking? Visual aids, power-point presentations offer a change of memento from the spoken word. A short film with discussion after could work. Make Sermons short and to the point, affirming people in their lives not telling them off, making judgement or criticising but gently guiding and supporting. Make worship relevant and stimulating, adding humour where appropriate.
Communication
Ironically, many churches already provide some of the services mentioned under ‘Practical ways of Being Church in Community’ (page 9). In fact many church connected people could probably provide more examples than those already mentioned. The problem is that the ‘services’ do not appear to be available for everyone and people not connected to church do not know they exist – or that they are for them too (if they do).
The church needs to find ways of telling the community what it is doing and what it is involved in. Many churches print a magazine which advertises an array of church led groups and clubs but many non-church people find that final shove to be the one who makes contact difficult. A more visible presence in the community might work, visits to school or secular clubs, doctors surgery, dentists etc. Use the website effectively to share faith and what the church is doing. Send material to the local newspapers and community based newsletters. If collecting for a jumble sale, go door to door collecting and invite people to join in and make sure those already in church are ready to give a stranger a warm welcome.
Secret Worshipper
As a final part of this survey, Shona Paterson visited three churches during Lent, three different denominations. Attending as a stranger to the Sunday Service she set out to assess the kind of welcome received and consider some of the issues raised in the survey. Dressed casually in jeans and jumper to all the churches the welcome she received was mixed. Here is her account:
22 March at 9.45am
On Mother’s Day I visited a small rural community with one church. On arrival I was greeted with a bunch of daffodils from a young girl from the Sunday School as a gift for Mother’s Day. Dressed casually in jeans and jumper I did not look out of place among the 18 members of the congregation (not including the six members of the Sunday School and their teacher). Of those there, five of them were men and seven were, at a guess over 65. The rest were, I would say, between 40 and 60. It was not long after I took my pew that a woman, who introduced herself, sat next to me. She offered to share her bible for the reading and was generally very friendly. I later discovered she was from a Scripture Union Camp based not far away. The Service was led by a reader from a neighbouring village and she used a large glove puppet which reminded me of the well-known American children’s programme ‘Sesame Street’. The children seemed to enjoy the interaction this offered. The Service was a positive one, focussing on God’s love for us all, reminding the congregation that we are only human, that we all make mistakes in life, choose the wrong path, and sometimes do things Jesus would not have wanted us to have done, nevertheless, God understands and His love is always with us. As soon as the Service was over I was invited to join the group for coffee and the welcome was warm and friendly from all who were there, encouraging me to return again some time.
29 March 2009 at 10am
The venue this time was a small ‘upmarket’ town near Stirling. On arrival I was greeted and handed a hymn book and two booklets. I had arrived fairly early and took a pew sitting conspicuously on my own while the choir practiced a few feet away. No one joined me. Of the 35 worshippers, 14 were men and the group included some parents with children, so there was a mix of ages. I am not familiar with the format of this Church Service, so for me I really was a stranger – and I felt like one. I found the Service difficult to follow, jumping around from one booklet to another in search of the responses, the readings and to find which hymn we were to sing. No one else seemed to have this problem, it was as if they all knew. It was a long service – and it was very cold, despite the evidence of heaters. It was so cold, that at one point it was the only thought occupying my mind. The Sermon was not well delivered, the visiting (retired) Rev seemed to ‘lose track’ often, repeating what he had just said – and it did drone on for a while. Highlights for me were the Taizѐ chants which I like – the hymns and the choir were uplifting. After the service a man, who had been sitting in front of me introduced himself and told me that tea and coffee were served in the hall if I would like to join them. I followed his directions to the hall and enjoyed a cup of coffee standing on my own with only the man who served me who asked who I was and why I had come. No one else approached to speak and I was aware of having some odd stares from a couple of older people whom I smiled towards before they moved away. I wouldn’t say the congregation were hostile, just disinterested, apart from the man who spoke briefly. It isn’t a church I would hurry back to.
5 April 2009 at 10.30am
Their website promised a friendly welcome and while the folk standing at the door gave a friendly smile as they handed out the hymn books, the welcome more or less ended there. This city centre church, packed full with about seventy worshippers fell short of what promised to be a good experience. As this was Palm Sunday, the Sermon focussed on the crowds which must have gathered on that day, very much like our own Easter Resource, written this year by Rachel Dobie for the Church Life Network, considering those people and their part in the crowd that cheered – then jeered. The congregation were encouraged to imagine the crowd and the happy mood which would have existed helped by the Reader who led the congregation in their imagination of those in the crowd excitedly jostling their way to the front in search of a better view of Jesus - ‘sharing bread and ‘cigarettes’ My image bubble burst at that moment – I thought ‘Hang on – did she say cigarettes?’. This is the very type of statement which has been described earlier in this report, conflicting stories, difficult to believe – prompting a statement often said that ‘the church makes things up as they go along’. A highlight of the day came when crosses made from palm leaves were given as a gift which was a nice ‘touch’ to the service, especially as they were given out by the children before retiring to their Sunday School. I accepted the open welcome to join in tea and coffee after the Service, however, this encounter was not a happy one and I was unfortunate to experience extremely off-hand and rude behaviour from someone who was serving. I had been hoping not to know anyone at this church but I did, and although I only briefly spoke to those who knew me, I did stand alone as a stranger for a good few minutes before leaving. No one else came forward to speak. Later, outside, I asked a woman how long she had been coming to the church and whether she enjoyed it. She told me she had been attending the church for two years or so and not everyone had been very friendly.
It was interesting that of the three churches I visited, none of the Services were taken by the minister of the church. Did this make a difference – and if it did should it have? We have much to learn as a society – whether as a member of a congregation – or as a visitor to church. There is something missing - something which goes further than a lack of understanding in religious grounding and church procedures for the unchurched – there is also an element of social mis/understanding – of our responsibilities as people in community – God’s people.
Conclusion
In our conclusion, the Research Working group believes the challenge for the churches is to take church out, rather than attract people in. Some mention has been made of cafe’s and such but that is still ‘attractional’ rather than an ‘incarnational’ mode. While there is some fluidity the models are quite distinct. This also goes a little way in answering the question of who will do the things people want to see the church doing – the answer of course is - they will! If we can change the programme-dominated mindset of ‘church doing for’, to ‘building a community of people’ interested in taking part in these things’ (‘ground up’ rather than ‘top down’) ministries will emerge. And hopefully with good community engagement, people will also be connected to faith. It’s a huge stride for the mindset of a church, but there are some good examples around of this type of approach working.
The results of this survey have shown that most people believe in God, or ‘something’. People are just not sure that Church has it right, and many don’t see the connection between God and the Church. They see the Church as alien to the modern world, a bit battered and worn out with some prickly thorns and stubborn stains’. Alarmingly the research shows how little is understood or even known of our Christian faith, Church denominations and a host of other relevant issues to church, and that somewhere in our religious education processes there are huge gaps which need to be filled.
On a more positive note, the research is clear in showing that Church is still valued in today’s community. Perhaps not all for the right reasons, we may agree, but valued just the same, and more importantly and encouragingly, still very much wanted. This is a step the churches can move on from. It provides an excellent opportunity for the churches to become very much more valued in Scotland’s communities. We should be mindful too that, as Christians, we spend most of our time outside church, and therefore church can be visible in a variety of ways, offering these ways as different levels of engagement in church life. This is a modern day challenge for the churches, an important point in the future of church.
Revd Douglas Nicol offered this thought, “While we often wring our hands at declining ‘membership’ figures, we often miss the dramatic fact of the numbers in the National Census who claim to ‘belong’ (or be ‘loyal’) to a Christian Church. They are of the ‘loyalty’ generation to be found in both urban and rural Scotland – and if as churches we dismiss them because they are not ‘members’ we have locked ourselves into a society of our childhood and will fail to embrace hundred of thousands in Scotland today.
As churches we need to find new ways of being open to the ‘loyal’ as well as to our ‘members’ and in that way be fully the church throughout Scotland – including areas of new development’.”
Out of interest, after the findings of this piece of research, the group conducted a few interviews with those from within the church. They were found to be more critical of the church than those who were un-churched.
We hope this research has provided you with the insight and inspiration to take up the challenges it offers.
The Research Group has prepared this research study and report for:
• The ‘Being Church’ Task group, as part of the information we think will be useful in taking their project forward through the next stages.
• The Churches’ for their use, either individually or for ecumenical sharing and further research. It may be used as a starting point for further research, for background information for something else, or as a discussion topic. Whatever use you may find for this report, we are sure that you will have found the results interesting, informative and thought provoking.
Research Working Group
Mrs Maureen Stewart (United Reformed Church)
Revd Dean Fostekew (Scottish Episcopal Church)
Ms Lesley Hamilton-Messer (Church of Scotland)
Major Andrea Still (The Salvation Army)
Mrs Shona Paterson (ACTS)
On behalf of ACTS Mission Network
May 2009
