Episode 3 - In Together
How to Build Belonging & Explore Faith Together
Welcome to the Thriving Church Lab!
In episode 3 of the Thriving Church Lab, host Hannah Sanderson sits down with Lynsey Paterson and Anne Stott, co-leaders of In Together in Perth, supporting families who have children with additional support needs.
Together, they dig deep into the "HOW" of building genuine belonging and developing new worshipping communities, moving beyond a warm welcome to reimagining what church could look like.
In this episode, we cover:
- Listening First & Building Belonging: Lynsey and Anne share how listening to families shaped In Together, creating community spaces where the whole family can connect, feel valued and support one another.
- Starting Small & Learning as You Go: From a toddler group to Fun Together Plus, discover how responding to conversations, gathering volunteers and trying things for a term helped new activities take shape.
- Sharing Faith Without Pressure: The conversation explores how prayer, trust and everyday relationships create opportunities to talk naturally about Jesus, while leaving people free to explore at their own pace.
- Reimagining Church & Welcome: From outdoor church to being "welcomed before you're welcomed", Lynsey and Anne unpack practical ways to help families know what to expect and picture themselves taking part.
- Discerning the Next Step Together: Rather than needing the perfect plan, the team emphasises noticing where God is at work, creating stepping stones towards exploring faith, and valuing relationships above any new idea.
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!
Listen
Stream or download on all your favourite podcast platforms
Watch
Watch the full episode on our Church of Scotland YouTube channel
Explore
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.
Share:
Use the short learning clips in sermons, small groups and anywhere else you gather to spark conversation and inspire action.
Learning 1
Learning 2
Learning 3
Experiment
Hear our podcast guests share the tried-and-tested resources that have supported their learning, then find them for yourself in the Thriving Church Lab Library!
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