In an uncertain world, how can the Church respond with openness, hope and a renewed sense of mission? This question will be at the heart of a thought-provoking session led by Ruth Harley and Al Barrett at the Being Missional Today conference on 10 June at Coventry Cathedral. 

Many churches find themselves grappling with institutional anxiety. Even in difficult times, there are signs of hope and opportunities for renewal. In this video, Ruth and Al reflect on these challenges and explore ways the Church can move forward with faith and purpose. 

The gift of ‘liminal space’ 

“So much of the dominant language in churches is about vision and strategy,” Al says, “But perhaps the invitation is to embrace the possibility of not knowing.” 

Whether it’s a conversation on the church doorstep or a chance interaction in the community, these unscripted moments hold the potential to reveal God at work. 

Reimagining reconciliation 

Reconciliation is often seen as a neat, controllable outcome. For Ruth and Al, true reconciliation is less predictable. Ruth argues that the church should resist the urge to rush toward resolution. Instead, she calls for slowing down and sitting with the hard realities of life without trying to “fix” them.  

“Real fruitfulness,” she said, “comes from sitting in a non-anxious way with one another, admitting the truth of who we are.” 

Al suggests that the church needs to cultivate a willingness to be vulnerable and open to the complexities of life. It is in this tenderness, he suggests, that we encounter both our neighbours and God in profound ways. 

Looking ahead: an invitation to imagine 

As Ruth and Al prepare to share these ideas at the upcoming conference, Ruth emphasises that this will not be a conference offering ready-made solutions. Instead, it will be a space to cultivate “deeply resonant, life-giving questions” that encourage ongoing reflection and action. 

For those feeling alienated by institutional language or struggling to fit their local realities into prescribed church models, this conversation offers hope. It is an invitation to discover God amidst the chaos of the current season. 

Join the many already signed up – book here: https://reconciliation-initiatives.org/being-missional-today/