Myopic church (and deck chairs)

I had this nightmare recently where a declining church met to discuss their situation. Few turned out and those that did were confident that although the numbers had indeed fallen whilst the average age of those attending had grown - there was an assured future - all was not as bad as some might paint it!

One of their perceived strengths was that they had a central place in the community - well the building did, the congregation were pretty anonymous - and had been there since Simon de Fruitspoon (of the Norman conquests) had established the church in 1127. This was THE church in the area and so nothing could come between them and their future in the place for they were assured that there was enough money in the bank accounts, investments and property to keep the place going until they died (and after that it wouldn't be a problem anyway, would it?).

This remnant attended, no actually the word 'haunted' fits better here, the services and were faithful in the fact that they came, hell or high water, to their chosen service pretty much every week. They'd do their bit and then, clocking off, leave the building to the next shift who would do the same until the final service of the day was ticked off as done. Each would look back to the time when there were queues and seats were at a premium and remember when children 'behaved properly' in their suits, shirts and ties and brylcreemed hair (not like today's children - thank goodness we don't see them that much in here!).

Proclaiming their friendliness and the welcoming church that they were they bemoaned the fact that no one came to their services - after all, everyone knew where the church building was, it was one of the historic sites - and sighed as the echoes of the good old days washed over them.

The sadness was that the people were lovely and the church building was splendid and there was so much to commend and bless in them and the magnificent structures they occupied - but instead of looking out and reaching out and reinventing themselves to find a new relevance, they were content to leave it to the person at the top of the tree (although not to the person at the top of the cross) and shuffle in towards the final service; safe in the knowledge that as long as parish share could be paid they we safe.

As we drew to a close the conversation turned to rearranging the tea area to 'make it more appealing' - but the question was, 'To whom?' After all, there was only them. Then we talked about the old members (either dead or in care homes or moved in with their children) and how to make Sunday school more popular (simple answer: get some children into the place) and how well others were doing (with the implicit 'at our expense') before we finally ran out of steam and finished with the deck chairs all neatly set out as they should be.

Now this place could be any one of a number of churches I know of - there's nothing remarkable about them - and that's the sadness. Those who come to faith through them, finding any move to change gear and attitude rejected, tend to move into the 'popular churches' (something which causes the remnant to huddle together against the rising tide) and stuck increase the speed of decline and hopelessness.

The saddest thing of all was that the nightmare took place in real life - mercifully I don't have dreams like that which I relate here!!!

It seems that Church works best when not constrained by its buildings!

Obstacles to growth - singing a different tune (1)

Upon visiting a strange church recently, I found myself feeling quite isolated and out of step; a feeling which it transpired I shared with others.

I visit different churches whenever the opportunity presents because I get to hear others preach and, finding myself on the receiving end of communion, also get the chance to observe good practice (hopefully).

So there I was sitting in the pew when the hymn is announced and we stand to sing. The choir processes in and we're off! Opening prayer, confession and absolution and onto the collect - no dramas, everything looks like home so far.

We move onto the readings and the sermon - a good exposition of the main point of the Gospel - and onto the creed which the choir sing to us as the majority of those present, having struggled to join in, have given up! Moving on to the Eucharist we find ourselves challenged with a series of sung responses which were reminiscent of a sight reading exercise I once did as an audition piece!

Following the service, during a post-service brew, I got into conversation with a couple of regulars who told me how they were experiencing lean times and that some of the regulars had  falling away. As the conversation continued we were joined by a chap who rattled on about how great the settings were and what a great service it had been and so, leaving him to witter on, I finished my tea and (smiling) left.

What a nightmare when someone like me, who is fairly familiar with most forms of church service, are left feeling totally out of it all because of the setting used for the service. I'm especially used to services where sung responses are employed but most places I visit limit themselves to good old Rutter! But even then the use of them is still a means of alienating people who are new or unfamiliar to such things (which is the reason our organist suggests we forego responses for services of an evangelistic nature are concerned - Thank you Ken).

What is certain is that we do need to make sure that our services are 'seeker friendly' and accessible - even if that means someone coming out five minutes before the start and running the congregation through what they will be faced with.

Just a thought

Obstacles to Church - Social Gospel

I visited an alien church - it was supposed to be alien because it was in a different place but it turned out to be alien because of much of what went on (and especially, was said) had little to do with Church and Christ! We heard of righting wrongs, prejudice and oppression to the total exclusion of the Gospel. We had the views and opinions of the speaker who totally ignored the words of Jesus!

Suddenly the complaints I'd heard of regarding other places, and the clergy there, were made flesh and to be brutally honest it wasn't a comfortable experience!

At first everything appeared to be 'business as usual' and I was set to experience much the same as Sunday service in my home church, which to be frank was a positive that brought a feeling of comfort that opened the door for the Bible readings and the sermon without distraction.  But then it all started going downhill For although Jesus appeared in the Gospel acclamation he wasn't seen again until the liturgy mentioned Him in the Communion.

Coming in at just just under thirty minutes the sermon masterfully managed to avoid any reference to the readings or Jesus throughout! The two great Bible readings (Isaiah 61-2 and Luke 14) which were masterfully ignored to the extend that had I not kept the pew sheet I would have forgotten what they were. "So what did they preach?" I hear you ask.

The sermon spoke about bias, prejudice, rights and the preacher's opinion on them - but that was it! At no time was there any reference to the Gospel. There was not even the slightest mention of reconciliation, forgiveness or the love of God as seen by the selfless act of Jesus, the Christ, on the cross. The 'sermon' spoke of redressing wrong social and societal attitudes by making a stand against those who thought differently to that which the preacher presented as right.

If it hadn't been for the (rather abridged) Communion and the creed Jesus wouldn't have appeared anywhere in the service at all!

To place a cherry on this encounter, after the communion where I would have expected something post-communion like before being dismissed with a blessing. But sadly this was not to be - for communion done, we were blessed with reports of fund raising and a final kick at the corpse of the social ills addressed in the 'sermon' (and we were reminded of the special afternoon service again)! Then with the 'important' bits done (at last) the post communion element appeared and then blessed we were sent out.

Leaving, I noticed the Paschal Candle was still burning (Actually it was the only candle left lit). For some reason I now question I asked why it was lit (perhaps there was a baptism to follow). The response, "We always light all the candles at every service." Aaaargh!

Is it any wonder that the Church of England appears to struggle so much when there are clergy who put aside the Gospel and provide in its place things secular such as I experienced?

If we lose sight of Jesus the Christ, the Eucharist and the reconciliation to God that these speak of, then what do we have?

The answer (sadly): A diminishing body of people!