Overview

Following on from his bestselling The Invisible Church, Steve Aisthorpe finds inspiration for his new book in the ecological concept of rewilding, an approach to the environment that allows nature to break free from the dulling effects of strategic control and bring wonder back into our lives. Applying this thinking to the Church, Steve Aisthorpe imagines what might happen if we put less faith in our strategies and plans, which inevitably depend on our own capabilities and resources, and allow the Spirit to lead us beyond our capacity to imagine. Rewilding the Church explores afresh the compelling invitation of Jesus to ‘Follow me’ and the call to ‘throw off everything that hinders and entangles’. It poses provocative questions and issues a call to contribute to the great rewilding of the Church – and to be rewilded ourselves. The same human instincts that have disrupted our natural environment have also constrained and domesticated the Church and Rewilding the Church commends a rediscovery of the adventure of faith.  Steve Aisthorpe is one the freshest and most original voices in the church today.

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9780715209813

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Reviews

This is an exciting and surprising bringing together or two very different themes, which on reflection most naturally belong to each other. A clear, easy and liberating read. -- Rev'd Dr Michael Moynagh, author of Church for Every Context (2012) and Church in Life: Innovation, Mission and Ecclesiology (2017). Steve Aisthorpe challenges us to stop and to pay attention to what is right in front of us. His deep and abiding love for Christ, creation and the church are evident on every page, drawing profound lessons about church, mission and leadership from an ecosystem greatly damaged by human intervention, and yet with tremendous powers of recovery. It is filled with fascinating information, deep questions about the church's response to the challenges it faces, and with an undiminished trust in the God of past, present and future. Whether you agree with every point he makes or not, this will get you thinking, it will start conversations, and will provoke change. Everyone involved in mission and leadership should add this to their 'must read' list. -- Lesley Hamilton-Messer, Church Without Walls Team Leader, Church of Scotland Metaphors can be powerful. Well-chosen metaphors can be transformative. Fresh metaphors can take us by surprise and force us to see old problems in a new light. In this book Steve Aisthorpe sets a fresh and startling metaphor to work, forcing us to re-think strategy for the future of the Church. The metaphor of Rewilding the Church is powered by current trends in ecology and environmentalism and by Aisthorpe's astute reading of the sacred scriptures. -- Leslie J Francis, Professor of Religions and Psychology, University of Warwick In this, his second book, Steve Aisthorpe applies further insights from his conversations with former churchgoers, to build an exciting, new model of what God may be up to and the Church can become. His engaging style encourages both reflection and the use of our imagination, as we ponder how the ecological notion of rewilding might be brought to bear on our response to God's call. -- David Walker, Bishop of Manchester Writing in the shadow of the disruption created by Covid-19, Steve Aisthorpe highlights some key challenges facing today's church. Has Christianity lost its distinctiveness by prioritizing conformity and assuming that the divine spirit operates only in ways approved by the institution? And what does it mean to be a Christian in this time and place? These and other provocative questions are explored here with honesty and empathy while also offering a vision rooted in the past in ways that can inspire a new future. -- Revd Prof John Drane, educator and author My heart leaps when rewilding is applied to faith and church. It's evocative and opens up the imagination for so many possibilities. This is a book whose moment is now. -- Jonny Baker, Director of Mission Education, Church Mission Society If I had a difficult mountain ascent facing me, there's no one I'd rather have as my guide than Steve Aisthorpe. And having worked with him and read his first book, The Invisible Church, there are few others I'd rather have as a guide into the unknown territory of what lies ahead for the Church. This book confirms that; Steve is a reliable and astute guide. -- Rt Rev Dr Martin Fair, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland Steve Aisthorpe has written a highly readable, thoughtful and challenging meditation on the future of the church, which abounds in grace, wisdom and evocative ecological parables and metaphors. This is a book full of insight and gentle provocation - which invites a contemplative reading and could be a good retreat companion for those taking time to reflect on prospects and priorities for their church. -- Rev Dr Doug Gay, Principal of Trinity College, University of Glasgow

Author Information

STEVE AISTHORPE is a Mission Development Worker for the Church of Scotland. He has written a number of texts for Bible Reading Fellowship and was previously Executive Director of the International Nepal Fellowship.

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