What kind of church will offer access to the Gospel for the next generation? That is the persistent question running through this book. As a minister of the Church of Scotland, the author is committed to a vision of the grace of God for all in our nation, but challenges the assumed strategy for fulfilling that vision as being only through territorial parish ministry. Our fundamental shift is from exclusive territorial mission to cultural and generational mission. A parish church does not mean a parish is churched. We need a mixed economy of neighbourhood and network churches to engage with our nation across the generations. Will we move the resources to match the missionary challenge? Peter Neilson has been a minister of the Church of Scotland for over 30 years, in the parish of Mount Florida, Glasgow and later as Associate Minister in the Parish Church of St Cuthbert, Edinburgh. He has also encouraged the evangelistic mission of the church as an Adviser in Mission and Evangelism, Director of Training at St Ninian's Centre, Crieff, and currently in the role of supporting New Charge Developments within Scotland.He convened the special commission which produced the 'Church without Walls' report in 2001.
He is married to Dorothy with two married daughters, one about-to-be-married daughter and a delightful 2 year old granddaughter. "The Chalmers Lectures" which form the basis of this book were graciously hosted in 2004 by St Mary's College, St Andrews, and New College, Edinburgh. They have also been delivered in the International Christian College, Glasgow in 2005.