Pivot

#116: Church Community Building: The Power of Rewilding

Discover a fresh approach to church community building through the concept of "rewilding" with Steve Aisthorpe, author of "Rewilding the Church."

What if our instinct to manage and control church life is actually holding us back from authentic community building? In this episode of the Pivot Podcast, Steve Aisthorpe, author of “Rewilding the Church,” shares how the ecological concept of rewilding offers fresh insights for church renewal. Drawing from his research on changing patterns of Christian community and his years of experience in ministry, Steve explains how letting go of over-management and embracing spiritual discernment can transform congregational life.

Through practical examples and compelling metaphors, Steve demonstrates how church community building can emerge organically when we focus less on fixing problems and more on discerning God’s activity. He offers guidance for leaders wanting to shift from institutional problem-solving to spiritual listening, shares stories of churches embracing this approach, and discusses his current work establishing a retreat center on an ancient Celtic Christian site in Scotland. This conversation provides both inspiration and practical steps for leaders ready to embrace a more natural, Spirit-led approach to church development.

Resources Mentioned:

Shift Ministry Models
Faithful InnovationFaith & Contemporary IssuesMinistry LeadershipMission & Evangelism

Featuring

Headshot of Steve Aisthorpe

Steve Aisthorpe

Steve Aisthorpe lives in the Highlands with his wife, Liz. He is currently pioneering a new venture at Kilmalieu (on the west coast) - repurposing an outdoor activity centre as a place of prayer, listening and retreat - in one sense Scotland’s newest retreat centre, but in another sense the restoration of an ancient place of prayer and a historic springboard for mission. For many years he worked for the Church of Scotland, supporting people involved in pioneering missions and fresh expressions of church. He is a researcher, retreat leader, writer and coach. Steve's first book, The Invisible Church, reflects on his research among Christians who are not engaged with a local church congregation. His latest book, Rewilding the Church, uses a powerful metaphor from ecology to offer a bold and provocative vision for the Church.

Meet Your Hosts

  • Dr. Alicia Granholm

    Alicia Granholm is senior director of Faith+Lead and a leadership and church consultant based in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. She helps pastors and leaders engage culture to make a lasting impact. For nearly two decades, she has trained, equipped, and empowered followers of Jesus to engage their local communities by contextualizing the Gospel and its application. Alicia compassionately crosses cultural boundaries having lived, studied, traveled, and served in 25 countries on six continents. Alicia has a Doctor of Strategic Leadership, Global Consulting (Regent University), MDiv (Bethel Seminary), and MA in Teaching (University of St. Thomas).

  • Dr. Dwight Zscheile

    Dr. Dwight Zscheile is vice president of innovation and professor of congregational mission and leadership at Luther Seminary. His latest book is Leading Faithful Innovation: Following God into a Hopeful Future (with Michael Binder and Tessa Pinkstaff, Fortress Press, 2023).