Pilot project to forge new paths for churches

                                                                                                                           Tuesday October 20, 2015

A new pilot project to explore different ways of being church in a changing landscape has been launched by the Church of Scotland’s Panel of Review and Reform, in partnership with the Ministries and Mission and Discipleship Councils.

The Path of Renewal launched in September and has already hosted four day conferences for 45 congregations. Following a period of discernment, twenty congregations have signed up to begin a two-year pilot from January to follow the project.

The Rev Liz Crumlish, who  has been appointed Co-ordinator for the Path of Renewal, explained: "As a Parish Minister, serving a parish of 11,000, with six school chaplaincies, a membership of 650, and 90 funerals a year, I would have loved the opportunity to stand back for a time and take stock, as well as identify and develop potential leaders in the congregation who would reconnect with the community. This project provides that opportunity."

She explained: "The Path of Renewal seeks to invest in ministers, supporting and mentoring them as they guide congregations through the process of transition, equipping and resourcing them to develop leadership and to explore new  ways of being church in their communities, joining God in the work of the Kingdom."

Liz added: “It is not a panacea but one of a number of initiatives being birthed in this time of creativity and opportunity for the Church of Scotland.”

There is a Path of Renewal video on the Church of Scotland YouTube site explaining the process: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ILZ6oBDygc

Liz can be contacted by email at Ecrumlish@churchofscotland.org.uk or by telephone on 07464 675434.
Reflections on the journey are also being shared at www.pathofrenewal.blogspot.co.uk

Comments

Margaret Graham - Tuesday, October 20th, 2015

“Wish you well in this new and exciting time for the churches. Look forward to hearing how these churches are progressing.”

Ronald - Friday, October 23rd, 2015

“Best wishes for every success in your new endeavours and may your leadership bring about the desired results within the time frame provided.
I'm currently being considered for eldership in my church and currently looking at what kind of a church am I in as regards its future. Large membership but very small congregations.
One major and highly urgent item seems to be not so much identifying leaders, but actually having enough folks to look at as being future leaders.
As with most churches, we have very few young folks, so I'm beginning to see more clearly that I might well become one of a team of:
ELDERS LOOKING FOR YOUNGERS.
We have the skills to train them, indeed part of my own background is in leadership development, but where do we find the delegates for such courses ? ”

Margaret Graham - Saturday, October 24th, 2015

“I agree with Ronald's remarks. I am a member of a very elderly Church and we have only about three children in our Sunday Group even though we have a thriving Girls' Brigade and Boys' Brigade. As an Elder I have been told that we cannot encourage these young people to come to church . How do you decide on who should be leaders who are in the 60 to 80 years old age group?”

Add a reply

All fields are required. Email address will not be published.