Episode 2 - Dunoon
How to Build Team-Driven Culture & Community Growth
Welcome to the Thriving Church Lab! In this episode of the Thriving Church Lab, host Hannah Sanderson sits down with Rev. Everisto Musedza, a parish minister from Dunoon (Cowal Kirk).
Together, they dig deep into the "HOW" of creating vibrant, growth-oriented church cultures, moving beyond vague "weasel words" to real-world community action.
In this episode, we cover:
- Intergenerational Ministry & "Pizza Church": Everisto discusses how recognising the need to engage young families led to the launch of "Pizza Church"—a monthly gathering attracting over 100 people where all generations learn, eat, and worship in the same space.
- Deepening Faith with "Plug-in Church": Following the success of Pizza Church, the team created "Plug-in Church" to provide a space for community members seeking deeper spiritual engagement, prayer, and spontaneous worship.
- Culture of Experimentation & Permission: Everisto shares his leadership philosophy of giving teams permission to try new ideas, fail, adapt, and share ownership.
- Building Genuine Community: From door-to-door parish visits to bringing joy, fun, and banter into worship services, Everisto emphasises the power of meeting people where they are in their daily lives.
- Challenging the Status Quo: Drawing on his perspective of coming to Scotland from Zimbabwe, Everisto highlights the importance of asking "why" to re-evaluate outdated traditions and focus on current community needs.
Whether you're a church leader, ministry team member, or individual looking for practical ways to cultivate growth and community engagement in your context, this conversation is packed with actionable insights!
So, get your lab coat on and join us as we ask questions, unpack the how, and discover new ways to experiment, learn and grow as followers of Jesus!
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Each episode comes with a customised learning resource, fresh with insights and practical prompts to help you get curious about how God could be speaking to you.
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If your church has been experimenting, learning and trying new things as you explore where God is leading, we would love to hear from you!
Get in touch at: MissionSupportTeam@churchofscotland.org.uk