The Invisible Church: Learning from the Experiences of Churchless Christians

by Steve Aisthorpe

Overview

For anyone who is concerned about Church decline, the contents of this book offer an essential blueprint for building God’s whole community in the coming years. This unique set of resources offers practical help and insight for all who want to grow, enrich and develop their congregational life. The Church of Scotland has drawn on the findings of extensive new research that it has commissioned in order to put together this set of carefully crafted and informed resources aimed at helping every congregation to understand why people leave the Church, how to avoid unnecessary departures and, above all, to develop an enriching, vital Christian fellowship with the large numbers of Churchless Christians in every community across the country. This ground-breaking book, illustrated by Dave Walker, offers information, hope, insight, prayerful reflection and practical ideas for bringing together in fellowship all Christians, whether they are members of an institutional Church or not.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780861539161
Publisher:	Hymns Ancient & Modern
Publication date:	04/27/2016
Pages:	216
Product dimensions:	5.87(w) x 8.25(h) x (d)

About the Author

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.

What People are Saying About This

Rev. Hector Morrison

All involved in church leadership in Scotland – indeed all exercised Christians - need to grapple with the issues at the heart of this highly readable book about the growing phenomenon of ‘churchless Christians.’ What are they? How did they become such? And Why? From his own research in Scotland, augmented by studies from other western nations, Steve Aisthorpe explores these questions, exploding en route a number of the facile ‘explanations’ for the phenomenon. Despite the significant challenges raised by his research, Steve closes his book on a note of hope.

Revd Dr Michael Moynagh

Great to hear the voices of people outside the church, especially those who have left!

Revd Dr David Goodhew

Steve Aisthorpe's new book, based on research in Northern Scotland, sheds invaluable light on a neglected but numerous group, those who have a Christian faith but do not attend a congregation. Steve's work is well researched, takes theology seriously and is pastorally wise. All church leaders can learn much from reading it.

Elaine Duncan

In this book, Steve Aisthorpe makes a very valuable contribution to our understanding of the growing number of Christians who are active in mission but not part of local congregations. His insights, drawn from extensive and rigorous research, make us think afresh about what God is doing in the western, developed world. These insights are honed and shaped by reflections on Bible passages. Some of our traditional ways of thinking are challenged, so read with a mind open to what the Spirit is saying!

Revd Dr Stephen Skuce

Steve has turned his excellent research into a very accessible book that challenges us in the Church as to how we respond to the many who have not rejected Christian faith, but have sort of rejected the Church. Vitally, we are offered ways in which to respond to this challenge.

David Walker

When a serious researcher like Steve Aisthorpe writes about Churchless Christians instead of just writing them off, missional leaders need to be giving him their full attention.

Alan Jamieson

The Invisible Church is insightful, well researched and prophetic. If your concerned about the future of the church in the west this is a must read. Through rigorous personal research and careful meta-analysis Steve Aisthorpe sketches the future of the church through the eyes of church-leavers.

Professor Grace Davie

I have said for a long time that the "middle ground" is the most interesting place to look in terms of the religious life of this country. Steve Aisthorpe's empirically driven work enhances our understanding of this fascinating and constantly evolving field.

Canon Dr. George Lings

I continue to meet the very people this book talks about, but the wider church is unsure how to react to, because admitting this reality of churchless Christians poses deep questions about how church operates at present. Having walked with Steve through some early bits of his research journey, I am delighted his sound academic work is now made accessible. The book is utterly honest about the problems we face but contributes realistically and constructively to the great re-imagination of the Church – or ecclesial earthquake – that is going on in our day.

Canon Phil Potter

If we are to build Christian communities that are genuinely mission-shaped and that shape a new future for the Church, then the importance of listening to voices of people outside the church, especially those who have left, cannot be underestimated. This is an excellent book to facilitate that.

Editorial Reviews

Dr Steve Aisthorpe offers an original, insightful and authoritative voice on making visible and audible the invisible church of churchless Christians. His insights need to be taken seriously to understand God’s presence and activity in today’s world.

The Revd Canon Professor Leslie J Francis

This is essential, informative, and intelligent easy reading on a subject that cannot be dismissed or ignored: the rising number of de-churched or churchless Christians.

Together magazine, July-August 2016 - Melanie Carroll

Here is a book dealing with one of the most significant issues of our time. While undergirded by rigorous academic research, it is eminently accessible and will be of deep interest to all who are interested in the changing nature of society, as well as the changing face of the church. In every chapter it aims to secure the reader’s practical engagement. At once hopeful and challenging, this is a major contribution to reflection on the place of the church in contemporary society. I wish it a wide readership.

Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison

This is essential, informative, and intelligent easy reading on a subject that cannot be dismissed or ignored: the rising number of de-churched or churchless Christians.--Melanie Carroll "Together magazine, July-August 2016"

Dr Steve Aisthorpe offers an original, insightful and authoritative voice on making visible and audible the invisible church of churchless Christians. His insights need to be taken seriously to understand God's presence and activity in today's world.--The Revd Canon Professor Leslie J Francis, University of Warwick

Here is a book dealing with one of the most significant issues of our time. While undergirded by rigorous academic research, it is eminently accessible and will be of deep interest to all who are interested in the changing nature of society, as well as the changing face of the church. In every chapter it aims to secure the reader's practical engagement. At once hopeful and challenging, this is a major contribution to reflection on the place of the church in contemporary society. I wish it a wide readership.--Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland

From the Publisher