Finding Our Voice: Searching for Renewal in the Mainline Church

by Neil Glover

Beneath all the anxieties about church decline and strategies to reverse that, this book speaks to a problem that has not been addressed – why is it that mainstream churches, Anglican, Methodist, Baptist and Presbyterian have been particularly affected by the secular age? And how might they be renewed? It argues that these churches need to focus less on restructuring and closures and instead recover a sense of authenticity – in the gospel they believe, in their vision of human flourishing, their diversity, their passion for justice and their unique ability to connect with local communities. Too often mainline churches are perceived as worthy but also profoundly unexciting. This book explores the centuries-old roots of this perceived boredom, and how the church can more often become a place of inspiration and of encounter with God. “Finding Our Voice" calls on all kinds of resources that can help refresh the church’s self-expression - in engagement with the scriptures, with art, music and poetry, in searching for a better language that remains true to the church’s core identity and resonates with contemporary culture.

208 pages, Paperback

Published April 30, 2024

Reviews

[Beth Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stories, lessons, and perspectives designed to open the reader's mind. I found myself hugely interested in the contents of a book I wouldn't have sought out had I not known Neil (this, and the fact that I appear as a character have indeed swayed my rating) and I would confidently recommend the book to any churchgoer in Scotland.

[Finn Mochan]

Wow! I finished this book so much more quickly than anticipated. There is something for everyone in this book. Learning about the current state of the church and where it can be taken. How we respond to each other as human beings, not just Christians. To work together and to love doing it. For me, the two best chapters are "Stillness" and "Community." Two subjects in which everyone needs a little help and are close to home. Read this book! Look forward to further publications.

[Helen Waring · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books that you need to read, pause, ponder and digest before moving on to the next chapter. Neil is an incredibly knowledgeable, wise, honest and articulate author and his passion for Jesus and his desire to see the mainline church in Scotland light up with the fire of the Holy Spirit shines from the pages. He digs deep into church history, Bible translation, more recent church events as well as his own experiences to bring a compelling and personal call for those of us in the mainline church to really engage on a deeper level with what it means to be the feet and hands of Jesus in our communities and from there experience renewal.

It is at heart a deeply practical book with lots of examples of things churches, communities and individuals have done to see transformation with everything routed in Scripture.

I am not a native to Scotland and found the nuggets of Scottish Christian history fascinating and illuminating; putting into context where the mainline Scottish church finds itself today. The book starts by looking at the challenges that face the church today including secularisation, exactly what this means and how the church can harness this for its own renewal, the struggles between traditional and progressive interpretations of Scripture and how the mainline church navigates the constrictions of its own structures.

Neil devotes a whole chapter ('Middle') to the topic of gender and sexuality, handling it in a way that shines a light of love and non-judgementalism on an issue that has divided congregations (including Neil's own). You come away thinking - surely this is exactly what Jesus would be doing if he were in our communities today.

The second part of the book looks at the gifts that God has given the mainline church; some of these require a deeply personal response from us (such as song, justice and stillness), others have both a corporate and individual flavour and others are part of our community calling. All are compelling and left me reflecting on what I need to do to be a part of living out my faith in my community.

You certainly do not have to be part of a mainline Scottish church to find this book engaging and inspiring but as a Church of Scotland Minister of twenty years, this is Neil's unique voice and passion. Yes, you come away with a long wish list of things you'd like to engage with but in a way that inspires you to action; it is a book full of hope, grace and the honesty and gentleness of how I believe Jesus wants us to engage with each other and our neighbours.

[Julie Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The state of the 'mainline' church from a Church of Scotland minister, taking us through history, tradition, seeking to explain how we got where we are, and ideas for the future, looking at examples from around Scotland and beyond. A good book for discussion.