Church Army has published a new booklet shedding light on the experiences of churches led by part-time leaders.
"A Spare Part" is a response to the growing number of fresh expressions of churches that do not have a dedicated full-time paid leader.
Such fresh expressions rely largely on volunteers who also have to hold down a full-time job.
The booklet looks at the emerging forms of church that are being led by volunteers in their spare time.
Author Claire Dalpra, assistant researcher at Church Army, says that 'spare time leaders' need greater recognition for the work they are doing within limited time constraints.
She writes: “There is an inherent problem in calling someone a spare-time leader of a church. When people hear spare time they think of leisure time … like a hobby.”
Dalpra argues that there are few resources in the mainline denominations that address the twin challenges of spare-time led fresh expressions and longer-term sustainability.
The booklet hears the stories of two spare-time churches that have been going for longer than 15 years.
It looks at how the churches have managed to keep going, what advice they have for other spare-time leaders, the implications of spare-time leadership for the fresh expressions movement and the wider church.
Encounters on the Edge 54, A Spare Part: Sustainability and spare-time led fresh expressions of church, is now available, priced £4.00. To order, contact The Sheffield Centre on 0114 272 7451, email ask@sheffieldcentre.org.uk, or go to www.encountersontheedge.org.uk
-
Evangelical vicar accused of abuse won't stand trial
-
Christians protest LGBT nativity play where Jesus is 'King of the Gays'
-
Sarah Mullally reiterates apology as safeguarding record comes under the spotlight
-
The mystery of the Wise Men
-
The origins of ‘traditional’ Christmas celebrations
-
Pro-life campaigner who silently prayed in abortion clinic buffer zone criminally charged
Most Popular
News
The first Christmas song to be sung in churches
Every Christmas, people sing the song “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks by Night”. Unlike many other songs and carols that include elements of non-biblical tradition and myth, this song is pure Scripture. It was the first Christmas song authorised to be sung in the Church of England. This is the story …
The story of the Christmas Truce of 1914
On Christmas Eve in 1914, many men were in the trenches fighting the war, but the spirit of Christmas halted the conflict for a brief period. This is the story …
Report highlights injustices experienced by Christians in the Holy Land
Jerusalem Church leaders have released a report detailing the struggles and challenges currently faced be Christians living in the Holy Land.
Have you lost the wonder of Christmas?
For you who have been followers of Jesus Christ for a long time, maybe the pain and suffering of this world and the darkness you have had to live through this past year has gotten you down to the point of complete and utter discouragement. But all is not lost.