A different way of worshipping God.
Do you believe in God but find it difficult to join with others on a Sunday? Church in the Wild is a *different* way for the church to gather. It is worship, but physical as well as spiritual. Church in the Wild invites us to take the metaphor of Christian journey and make it a physical experience. In the same way that our spiritual walk with God begins where we are right now, this worship begins where and when we want.
How does it work?
On the first Saturday of the month, a wilderness location is chosen and shared. Those who wish to join the worship plan their own unique journey to get there. The journey, and the time spent thinking about God, are the central elements of this worship… your journey is yours… no one can make it for you. The location will be in Upper Weardale, and there will be a car park nearby for those who can’t walk or cycle. Check the Upper Weardale Benefice Calendar for our next location.
A Bible passage is chosen. Before setting off, there will be a prayer for you to say, and a bit of the Bible for you to read.
The journey is spiritual. Each of us makes our own way to the agreed wilderness location. While we walk, cycle, wheel, drive, or even space-hopper bounce our way to the meeting place, each of us takes the time to think about the Bible reading. Repeating it to ourselves, sharing in Jesus’ experience of “going into the wilderness to pray”.
The journey is physical. Worship the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. As we make our way to meet with others, we may have chosen a strenuous route… but however we get there, it will be a physical experience.
Church is people. We gather at an agreed time, in the agreed wilderness location. Greeting each other in Jesus name. We have a chance to share what we may have learned about God on our spiritual/physical journey: a few simple words each.
Breaking bread. Food is shared: bring some.
Spiritual nourishment. We pray in the wilderness. Following the way Jesus would pray, a time of prayer is offered, including the Lord’s prayer in our own words.
Going out into the world. Wilderness moments are a blessing, and those blessings may overflow from us into the world around us. We return to our homes and villages by whatever means.
Church in the Wild
For centuries we have gathered with our churches to hear and receive God’s word, to sing songs of praise, and to break bread together… but the way in which we do it has become centered in buildings. Those buildings are sacred spaces where worship has happened for hundreds of years, but some people struggle with the language, or the singing, or even sitting in stillness. The way the church worship connects us with those who have worshipped before us… but it doesn’t connect everyone.
When Jesus was asked what the most important commandment was, he replied:
Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength – and love your neighbour as yourself.
What would it look like if our worship became more physical than intellectual? How would we know whether it really is worship, or whether we are worshipping the same God? These are difficult questions, and therefore Church in the Wild is an experiment. Is it possible for this simple model to enable more people to experience God’s love for themselves? We may find out… and if this appeals… maybe you’ll find out with us. See the Upper Weardale Benefice Calendar for details of the next Church in the Wild.
