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Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Christianity > Protestantism & Protestant Churches > Calvinist, Reformed & Presbyterian Churches > General
Reforming the Kirk is essential reading for anyone who cares about
the future of the Church of Scotland or who wants to understand the
deep challenges facing it in contemporary Scotland. The Church of
Scotland has had a profound social and cultural influence on all
aspects of Scottish life for over 450 years. Yet many feel that
times now are harder for the Church than ever before - and that
spirits are low. People are asking what has happened to the Church
that they have loved, served and belonged to for so long and how
the Church can have a strong, vibrant future. The Church's motto,
semper reformanda, means 'always to be reformed,' but what kind of
reformation is needed now to bring about the future for which so
many so long? Doug Gay's analysis brings a rich blend of
historical, theological and cultural understanding to bear on
analysing patterns of decline within the context of a secularising
Scotland and proposing bold and creative ways for the Kirk to
respond. Based on the 2017 Chalmers Lectures.
What is the church to make of the many new expressions of worship
springing up across the nation and the world? A gathering of
academic theologians, New Worshiping Community practitioners, and
leaders from within Presbyterian councils met at Pittsburgh
Theological Seminary to start the conversation. New Worshiping
Communities documents those discussions and provides theological
and biblical foundations to the 1001 New Worshiping Communities
movement in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The participants in
this conversation have sought to put flesh on the bones of what a
New Worshiping Community is, by defining it as: New Seeking to make
and form new disciples of Jesus Christ Taking on varied forms of
church for our changing culture Worshiping Gathered by the Spirit
to meet Jesus Christ in Word and sacrament Sent by the Spirit to
join Gods mission for the transformation of the world Community
Practicing mutual care and accountability Developing sustainability
in leadership and finances
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