Brighton-based priest Martin Poole is founder of Beyond Church with a vision for helping introduce people to God in public spaces through art. When I was diocesan mission & renewal adviser I recall celebrating his 2009 initiative making Hove Beach Huts into an Advent Calendar bringing prayer onto the promenade. ‘Church Beyond Walls’ is from an evangelistic stable seeking to ‘do God’ away from church buildings through art, symbolic action and theatre to engage with those uninterested in religion and faith. This timely book is a stimulant for churches to build partnerships within their communities drawing in artists, like ‘spiritual shop window trails’ and walking meditations to celebrate church festivals in secular space. I liked the story of the ‘X Factor’ cross box set up to receive Lenten biddings and how even its vandalism led to business with God.
Martin Poole Church Beyond Walls Creative church in public spaces Canterbury Press 2023 £13.99 ISBN 978-1-78622-482-8 198pp
