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Forest Church: A Field Guide to a Spiritual Connection with Nature
Brimming with insights and packed with information, this book draws you out, quite literally, into nature to experience a new, well thought through pattern of spiritual practice. Bruce Stanley gives you all the resources you’ll need, both practical and theoretical, to get going with a group or on your own. The Forest Church movement begun by Bruce Stanley is gaining momentum in the UK, and has now been brought to the United States.
168 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 2013
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132 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 19, 2020
The ideas presented in this book are exciting to me. At this point, it’d be a stretch for me to go through the very practical ideas for rituals and ceremonies outlined at the end of the book with any sort of authenticity. The list of other resources and books presented seems like a great launch pad for someone wanting to explore this topic further.
January 29, 2024
St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote,
It does not seem to me that the gospel is speaking of heaven as some remote habitation of God … because the divine is equally present in all things, and, in like manner, it pervades all creation and it does not exist separated from being, but the divine nature touches each element of being with equal honor, encompassing all things within itself.
I think of this often as I garden, as I enjoy nature. And as I do, I wonder what is the practical application of these words? Forest Church: A Field Guide to a Spiritual Connection with Nature, is practical application of the thoughts of St. Gregory of Nyssa.
When I am in the garden, my wife may be present, but more just as often, I am alone in the garden. Forest Church takes us from that solitary experience of God in nature and places us in community. As I think of community in a spiritual sense, I think of community in the sense of church. In Forest Church the church had moved from the building to the “forest,” although there is nothing that says that it has to be in a forest, there’s nature enough to be found in the most urban of settings.
There are many versions of a Forest Church, some may even be far away from a traditional Christian grounding. For Bruce Stanley and for the purpose of the book, a Forest Church happens in the outside, participates with nature, creates worship events that are site specific, allow time for nature to contribute, aims to be regenerative, recognizes that God is revealed in nature, as well as speaks through nature, and falls within the Christian tradition.
Before we continue, I must note that although the concept of a Forest Church, pioneered by Bruce Stanley, has been around for years, the concept is just as vital as when Forest Church was first written in 2013.
Those of us who see God in nature, may not need a primer on why go outside? Yet, chapter 1, “Why Go Outside?” got me thinking about those aspects of nature that I often take for granted. This chapter is good too for those who are exploring the idea, as well as for those for whom “church in a building” does not quite seem to cut it. Rather than me summing up Stanley’s reasons for going outside, read the book.
The vastness of the universe is often referred to as “the Second Book of God.” Stanley condenses the vastness of the Book in learning how to read it in nature. “Reading the Second Book of God” (chapter2) is not some theoretical treatise. In place of theory, the chapter suggests practical ways with which to read and understand what the Second Book of God is saying to us. It is easy to be in nature and not hear what God is saying to us through nature. If you read nothing else in the book, read this chapter. That said, Forest Church is such a delightful read, I believe that once you start you will want to read the whole book.
Once we learn how to read nature, we will start to participate with nature, but participation is a learned process. “Participating with Nature” (chapter 3) and “Developing Your Wild Side” (chapter 4) both provide practical help with the process. As we learn to participate (chapter 3) we will begin to develop our “wild side” (chapter 4), that is learning how to facilitate (both for our own self and in a group setting) our natural connection to nature as a natural entity. “Developing Your wild side” moves from basic routines to more extreme ways to experience the Second Book of God. Basic or extreme, the ideas are practical and doable. Stanley, always seeking to keep it practical, even provides some thoughts on necessary equipment.
From the beginning, Forest Church is about community. We are taken on a nature walk in such a way that we want to bring others along on the walk. Chapter 5, “Growing Your Own Branch of the Forest Church” and chapter 6, “Example Activities” give us suggestions and resources to do just that.
And that is exactly what I am going to think about doing. And as I think about growing a new branch of the Forest Church, I wonder, is the Forest Church concept a tool to both revitalize a declining church to reach the unchurched?
It does not seem to me that the gospel is speaking of heaven as some remote habitation of God … because the divine is equally present in all things, and, in like manner, it pervades all creation and it does not exist separated from being, but the divine nature touches each element of being with equal honor, encompassing all things within itself.
I think of this often as I garden, as I enjoy nature. And as I do, I wonder what is the practical application of these words? Forest Church: A Field Guide to a Spiritual Connection with Nature, is practical application of the thoughts of St. Gregory of Nyssa.
When I am in the garden, my wife may be present, but more just as often, I am alone in the garden. Forest Church takes us from that solitary experience of God in nature and places us in community. As I think of community in a spiritual sense, I think of community in the sense of church. In Forest Church the church had moved from the building to the “forest,” although there is nothing that says that it has to be in a forest, there’s nature enough to be found in the most urban of settings.
There are many versions of a Forest Church, some may even be far away from a traditional Christian grounding. For Bruce Stanley and for the purpose of the book, a Forest Church happens in the outside, participates with nature, creates worship events that are site specific, allow time for nature to contribute, aims to be regenerative, recognizes that God is revealed in nature, as well as speaks through nature, and falls within the Christian tradition.
Before we continue, I must note that although the concept of a Forest Church, pioneered by Bruce Stanley, has been around for years, the concept is just as vital as when Forest Church was first written in 2013.
Those of us who see God in nature, may not need a primer on why go outside? Yet, chapter 1, “Why Go Outside?” got me thinking about those aspects of nature that I often take for granted. This chapter is good too for those who are exploring the idea, as well as for those for whom “church in a building” does not quite seem to cut it. Rather than me summing up Stanley’s reasons for going outside, read the book.
The vastness of the universe is often referred to as “the Second Book of God.” Stanley condenses the vastness of the Book in learning how to read it in nature. “Reading the Second Book of God” (chapter2) is not some theoretical treatise. In place of theory, the chapter suggests practical ways with which to read and understand what the Second Book of God is saying to us. It is easy to be in nature and not hear what God is saying to us through nature. If you read nothing else in the book, read this chapter. That said, Forest Church is such a delightful read, I believe that once you start you will want to read the whole book.
Once we learn how to read nature, we will start to participate with nature, but participation is a learned process. “Participating with Nature” (chapter 3) and “Developing Your Wild Side” (chapter 4) both provide practical help with the process. As we learn to participate (chapter 3) we will begin to develop our “wild side” (chapter 4), that is learning how to facilitate (both for our own self and in a group setting) our natural connection to nature as a natural entity. “Developing Your wild side” moves from basic routines to more extreme ways to experience the Second Book of God. Basic or extreme, the ideas are practical and doable. Stanley, always seeking to keep it practical, even provides some thoughts on necessary equipment.
From the beginning, Forest Church is about community. We are taken on a nature walk in such a way that we want to bring others along on the walk. Chapter 5, “Growing Your Own Branch of the Forest Church” and chapter 6, “Example Activities” give us suggestions and resources to do just that.
And that is exactly what I am going to think about doing. And as I think about growing a new branch of the Forest Church, I wonder, is the Forest Church concept a tool to both revitalize a declining church to reach the unchurched?
January 25, 2024
Forest Church offers a vision for people to explore their connection with the natural world, with plenty of how-to information on starting/ facilitating a forest church. Bruce Stanley writes this for people who come from a Christ Tradition while remaining open to people who come from outside that tradition. Forest Church is more than moving an indoor worship outdoors - it is about actively connecting with nature, participating in nature, being a part of nature, discovering God/the Devine in the natural world and learning what the natural world reveals about God/the Devine. The book was written in 2013, so some of the references may be dated but it still offers ideas, inspiration, and food for thought.
August 2, 2019
It is a good and practical guide to forest churching, many thanks.
June 28, 2021
An excellent practical guide to starting Forest Church. Perfect size and balance between theory and praxis, including many helpful examples.
May 12, 2022
Reading this made me realise Forest Church is not church but a pagan religion and should be avoided. Feel free to enjoy nature but worship the God who created it.
August 20, 2014
Jesus taught his followers to observe and learn from things like sparrows, lilies, storms, olive trees, mountains and fish. In that same spirit, Bruce Stanley writes a delightful and engaging book about leading groups into nature and hearing what God may be speaking through the created world.
I had high expectations for this book, as I learned of it from Kenneth McIntosh, who wrote the excellent Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life on Celtic Christian spirituality. Kenneth has been leading Forest Church outings in Flagstaff for a year or so now and raves about the experience.
I can see this concept working well as a meaning-full excursion for all faith backgrounds. Equally it would work for a Christian church's small group. It would also work well for folks interested in earth spiritualities and curious about their intersection with Christianity.
The book contains excellent resources for starting and maintaining a unique approach to spirituality in nature. I have asked a few friends to read this book and then want to sit down and chat about the possibility of doing something similar in my area.
I had high expectations for this book, as I learned of it from Kenneth McIntosh, who wrote the excellent Water from an Ancient Well: Celtic Spirituality for Modern Life on Celtic Christian spirituality. Kenneth has been leading Forest Church outings in Flagstaff for a year or so now and raves about the experience.
I can see this concept working well as a meaning-full excursion for all faith backgrounds. Equally it would work for a Christian church's small group. It would also work well for folks interested in earth spiritualities and curious about their intersection with Christianity.
The book contains excellent resources for starting and maintaining a unique approach to spirituality in nature. I have asked a few friends to read this book and then want to sit down and chat about the possibility of doing something similar in my area.
January 20, 2016
I've thoroughly enjoyed this book and feel quite inspired by it now. It's a broad, rather than deep, look at a range of subjects and acts an introduction to the subjects of nature connection, group dynamics (and leadership) and forest church itself. It has left me with plenty to think about, and a list of books to add to my wishlist. It's also left me looking for my nearest Forest Church to give this a go. I'll definitely be returning to this book in the future.
October 18, 2014
The first publication by one of those who are at the forefront of the emerging "Forest Church" movement. This is the product of several years' reflection on how Christians might develop a deeper relationship with nature, which might ge called "the first book of God".
October 18, 2014
The first publication by one of those who are at the forefront of the emerging "Forest Church" movement. This is the product of several years' reflection on how Christians might develop a deeper relationship with nature, which might ge called "the first book of God".
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews