Categories: uncategorized
Date: 22 January 2010 21:46:24
Interesting article by HE Barber about Saddleback, the Rick Warren Church, in the Guardian. Barber talks about the way she visited this mega church and was left with the feeling of the soul being ripped out religion in the same way as the character is being ripped out of our city centres. She was disillusioned with the feeling of "market economics" coming through. This is something I find interesting. A while ago I was in a meeting where a guy stood up and proclaimed that in order for the church to survive and grow we needed to take this kind of approach, ripping out the soul of our churches musically and in a range of other ways. He chose the wrong audience that evening. The anglo-Catholics joined with the Weslyans and low church types that night to proclaim the need to go for a more mixed approach. Finally he asked for atleast 10 examples of more "traditional" churches that were growing, we gave him his list and more.... Another aspect the article picks up on is the class issue. We all know that churches are or are percieved as being predominatly middle class. This type of church is making them middle class. One aspect of the growth of these churches is location. As with hospitals which are increasingly being moved out of town so are churches. Tomorrow I am heading off on some training for something, to a church centre located on an industrial estate on the edge of town. I know the church in question provides transport from a couple of places in Durham on a Sunday and there was a note to the e-mail recieved saying let people know if a lift was needed, (I'm going to get the bus out and walk a little). However, the point is it still puts popular, good quality church out of town. In A Story to Live By Kathy Galloway goes through the process of marginalisation in our communities and how choice and quality is given to those who can afford it. This is another example. We are bringing the same priciples that give marginalised unpopular schools into the church and one may argue turning UPA churches, particularly, into sink churches or churches that will be closed soon due to lack of interest. Besides the marginalisation issue I am also concerned about the development of this trend in the UK for environmental reasons. Driving to church should not be the norm. If we are serious about issues like climate change we should think about how we get to church on a Sunday morning. Churches should be encouraging less car use not more. This trend in going out of town is in direct contrast to the approach of both the Anglo-Catholics in the past and groups like The Message Trust today, (which is now seeking to go more national with its downwardly mobile message). Yet, with all this, it's about people going in or out of communities. What about this idea that we support local church? I know it might not be that simple. From a personal point of view I know the fact I chose to walk in one direction meant I found an accepting, inclusive church...if I had walked in the other direction to try and find local church I would have found a different church. What I think I am trying to say is if we are going to go church shopping or church building what about more brownfield development and more church shopping within a radius you can walk within?