Wild Church for All People
My vision for starting a Wild Church in my hometown came in the middle of COVID isolation, and intersected with a desire to be more active in climate advocacy and a desire to include people who will likely never step foot inside a traditional church. Even though the group that currently practices Wild Church is mostly made up of those in traditional churches, it still scratches an itch not satisfied in indoor worship.
Once upon a time in my life, I interviewed people interested in international ministry. One of the predictable answers I would get to the question, “What helps you connect with God?” was spending time in nature. I believe we are created to recognize God in Creation. Nature does not exist for humans to extract resources to fuel our consumeristic lives. Following indigenous wisdom, nature and humanity were meant to live in mutuality and respect.
One of the things I love about Wild Church is that it is widely inclusive. For those who have issues sitting quietly for extended periods of time, Wild Church invites movement through hiking. Or body prayer. Or making snow angels. It is very participatory and active. We have a sharing time at the end and anyone can add to the wisdom of the moment.
On the other hand, it can be tricky for those with mobility limitations to do the silent hike, which is what we do rather than listen to a sermon. One way a gentleman with such issues in our Wild Church has overcome this is by practicing holy gazing. He notices and appreciates what is close to him as he sits in his lawn chair. He always has the most interesting encounters with insects, milkweed and the like!
A man with neurodivergence worships with us regularly and Wild Church is his only church. He rushes up to the park on his bike, and with a flourish unpacks his backpack for his coffee, his water, hat, sunglasses and whatever else he needs for the gathering. Most times he finds a walking stick and brings it back to the circle after the hike. Then he talks about the various kinds of energy emitting from him and the trees, the soil, the air. In a traditional church, his wisdom may not be accepted for what it is, but in this circle, we are all exploring different kinds of connections with God through nature.
When you are in quiet contemplation outdoors, you tune in to the bird song, the sound of the trees swaying in the wind, the rustling of animals in the undergrowth, and that is the song of Creation. As much as many Christians love to sing, singing can sometimes be exclusive if you are not confident and especially if you don’t know the songs. With some occasional exceptions, we have decided not to sing, in order to meet people where they are.
For me, Wild Church is a gift that meets some challenges of our times. Even though I was pastoring an indoor church and preached sermons regularly, I found the presence of God just as often outdoors. Whether I am slowly walking through the woods, or sitting alongside the river, or laying in the grass looking at the sky, God speaks. Not through words, but through what is literally right in front of me. Through peacefulness and rest in my spirit. Through beauty. Through the connection with all who come as they are.
Sharon Brugger Norton has always loved being in nature and grew up in an outdoorsy family. During COVID, she was inspired to start a Wild Church in Goshen, Ind. after experiencing outdoor worship and realizing all the plants and creatures present enhanced worship, not distracted. She has a passion for those who do not perceive themselves as “fitting” in traditional indoor worship. Sharon is a brand-new grandmother to a darling little girl, and loves that her three adult children have stayed close to home. She currently serves as Executive Director of Global Mission for the Church of the Brethren and works from her home office in Goshen.
