In this episode of the Small Churches Big Impact Collective, host the Rev. Rebekah Hatch, Canon for Lay & Ordained Vocations in the Episcopal Church in Connecticut, speaks with the Rev. Candice Combs, pastor of New Life Lutheran Church in Dripping Springs, Texas - a unique congregation that worships exclusively outdoors.

Rev. Combs shares how New Life, a congregation focused on grace, discipleship, children, and creation, has found its own unique expression of faith. By embracing an outdoor worship space, the congregation has cultivated a deeper connection with nature and fostered a sense of community that values resilience, flexibility, and the inclusion of all God’s people.

The conversation explores how this unique worship style, grounded in a deep respect for creation, informs New Life's understanding of social justice. Rather than focusing solely on external activism, New Life prioritizes building a just and inclusive community within the church itself, fostering trust and understanding among its members and within the New Life community.

This episode offers a refreshing perspective on how small churches can find innovative ways to live out their faith, demonstrating that social justice begins with cultivating a just and welcoming community within the church itself.

Key Takeaways:

• Unique Worship Style: New Life's outdoor worship fosters a deeper connection with nature and cultivates a sense of community resilience.
• Focus on Inclusion: The congregation prioritizes inclusion and welcomes all people, emphasizing grace and understanding within this community of faith.
• Justice as Community Building: New Life recognizes that building a just and inclusive community within the church is a foundational step towards addressing social justice issues beyond the church walls.
• Embracing Vulnerability: The outdoor worship setting encourages vulnerability and a deeper connection to the natural world, fostering a sense of interconnectedness and compassion.
• Creative Approaches to Ministry: New Life demonstrates that small churches can find innovative and creative ways to live out their faith, adapting to their unique context and embracing new possibilities.

Episode Links:

• New Life Lutheran Church of Dripping Springs
• Wild Church Network
• Church of the Wild: How Nature Invites Us Into the Sacred, by Victoria Loorz
• Upwild.org - the joint ELCA/Episcopal Wild Church in Michigan
• thebtscenter.org/guides-for-lectio-terra: the practice of listening for the voice of the sacred in nature

Credits:

Music Credit: I Love to Tell the Story, Benjamin Grove, keyboard

Podcast produced by Polymnia