Wild Church – A Spirituality of Nature

Wild Church is a relatively new style of worship; it follows on from the Messy Church model but really it is older than church itself! Worshiping God in nature is the most basic and natural form of worship.

Wild Church, Forest Church, Wild Worship, whatever you prefer to call it is all about discovering God in nature. God is not only in church on Sunday mornings but can be found outside in the fields, mountains, woods and even in your back garden. God will reveal Godself through the invisible things, we need to curate a space and attitude of listening and looking.

Cate Williams writes, ‘Many people find that their most profoundly spiritual moments occur outdoors, in nature … We are living in a society that is increasingly urbanized and dominated by technology. There is nothing inherently bad about this, but the balance is wrong when we have lost connection with the natural world.’1

I have led a few Wild Church sessions, in Birmingham and Bath. It is important for people to be aware that they are not coming to a regular church service outside. Yes, we have prayers and possibly a short talk, but it isn’t a sit and listen to a sermon and sing hymns. Steve Chalke says, ‘venturing into the fresh air inspires us to see life differently … to put our lives into perspective and discover new depths to our understanding of and relationship with the God of all creation.’2

A topic for the session is chosen and planned in advance, it could have a seasonal theme, or a follow a Bible story. After a short gathering prayer, an introduction and explanation is given. For example, in the scripture passage Matthew 6: 25-32 we read, ‘Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are.’

Open questions and activities are then offered for people to choose from and explore their feelings and senses on the passage, or they could just sit in the presence of God quietly by themselves. Questions we can ask are, ‘What beauty can you find in nature? What is God showing or telling you in the treasure?’ Open questions like these help us explore and open up ourselves to listening to and looking for God in nature.

Obviously, we still need to do a risk assessment of the area we have chosen to visit and to make sure people stay safe, especially young children. Choose your area carefully and try and choose somewhere that is as accessible as possible, think about unsteady walkers and pushchairs. Give a warning about not eating anything unknown, wash hands after touching things and don’t pick wildflowers. And please remember to take all your litter home with you. ‘Take only photographs, leave only footprints.’

At the end of the session, I like to gather people back together in a group and share a drink a biscuit. It is an opportunity for everyone to share their thoughts and experiences, if they want to. We then close with a blessing thanking God for showing us His creation.

I hope your congregation will give Wild Church a go. It isn’t complicated, and the benefits of sitting outside will hopefully be beneficial to everyone, physically, mentally and spiritually.

Sr Lorraine Shorten

Minister of Bath Weston and Bath Coronation Avenue congregations; and Provincial Ecumenical Officer.

Resources:

Forest Church, Earthed Perspectives on the Gospel. Cate Williams (Grove Books MEv127)
Creative Ideas for Wild Church. Mary Jackson and Juno Hollyhock (Canterbury Press)
Wild Worship. Discovering God through creation. Rachel Summers (Kevin Mayhew)
Wild Lent. Discovering God through creation. Rachel Summers (Kevin Mayhew)
Forest Church. A field guide to nature connection for groups and individuals. Bruce Stanley (Mystic Christ Press)