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Helen Loder, priest-sister SSM, writes: There seems to be a post-covid panic in the church's hierarchy that as our congregations diminish (except for the offspring of Holy Trinity Brompton of course) so the church is being pushed to one side, regarded as irrelevant, and abandoned to the margins of society.
However, it begs the question: is losing so much power and prestige such a disaster? Was it more of a disaster in the 4th century when Constantine ended official persecution and made Christianity the established religion of the empire? From then on were we in danger of losing clear teaching on issues of greed, powerlessness, non-violence, non-control and simplicity? Could it be that when we, the church, find ourselves today pushed to the edge of society, on its margins, we might find that all is not lost? For is this, perhaps, the place where Jesus has always stood and where he is calling us today? Didn't he say, "where two or three" (and not two or three hundred) "are gathered in my name, I am there among them." Will this open up a new way of being church, nearer to the Gospels, better able to identify with the marginalised, the oppressed and, dare I say it, the elderly? Who knows? But I pray it may be so. Helen Loder SSM
1 Comment
Keith Griffin
13/6/2023 10:14:18 am
Dear Sister Helen, Thank you for your brief but wise words. Today I am hosting a clergy chapter meeting where we will be sharing the burdens of maintaining and supporting a number of semi-rural congregationsand church premises whose existences are increasingly unsustainable. Our Area Dean has three churches, has closed one, and now a second congregation is asking what the process entails. A meeting taking place in one of my own churches today is due to address how to put together a schedule of parish events with the focus mainly on raising much-needed funds, but this will happen with a knowledge that any additional income will fall a long way short of meeting the demands of repairing a ninenteenth century building and covering the cost of having a share of a vicar. Your words are helpful to me this morning, so thank you again. There is a good little book called Microchurches: A Smaller Way by Brian Sanders which I have found helpful. Your comment will be posted after it is approved.
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Just wanting to say “yes” to this. You will be speaking for, and to, many. I will certainly be passing this on to others, and will contribute some thoughts myself later. So, I was delighted to see Feral Spirituality make an appearance. I'd think you could find many wanting to join in |
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