Engaged in discussion over the issue of mission I was saddened to hear of the rate at which some churches are emptying and encouraged to hear of growth in others. My experience is that although many speak of the current downward trend in terms of attendance, this is not the reality for many churches.
Seems to me that some of the formerly 'large' churches have lost (greatly in some cases) and many of the smaller churches are growing (and being small, statistically growing well) and that the talks of doom and gloom are not the reality.
Another part of the reason some churches are reporting dropping attendance figures is because Sunday is not the primary 'church' day for people these days. For instance, many people who can't make a Sunday but want to 'do church' find themselves in midweek services or perhaps at a lunchtime service outside of the traditional Sunday window. This means that an arbitrary Sunday snapshot is not the best benchmark and I have to say, that I am worried about the numbers game fixation that so many are developing.
Of course, if it's not about attendance then what numbers do we use? Some like to make it about Parish Share and the ability to pay it. But this, like ASA (Average Sunday Attendance) is merely an arbitrary measure of quantity.
We need to be looking at quality and looking towards long-term investments in church rather than the can't pay, won't stay mentality. True, some congregations might be put to the sword because they aren't viable, but the building as a centre for outreach, witness and change needs to be retained and used properly.
What's the church like where you are? What are the quality areas that need to be supported and developed and what needs to be changed. Numbers or mission, people or pound notes - we do have a choice.
1 comment:
Vic,
I can only go on my own experience of my Benefice and one or two other churches that I attend occasionally.
Firstly, our Benefice is rural 5 churches scattered over 5 villages. Our dispersal might seem problematic with only one Stipendiary Priest - but we manage to hold services in 4 out of 5 churches each Sunday, and with the occasional Matins or Evensong along with mid-week worship. We seem to be doing well. Increased electoral roll this year.
We manage to support a youth group with over 40 young people (in two age groups) between 6 and 18 which is vibrant and well supported.
Our outreach includes local schools, Care Homes and other community assets. We share our main church with the Methodists.
We have home groups and an active Pastoral Care team. The church is intrinsically linked into village life and young people are a central feature of our worship.
Another Church that I attend in an Urban setting led by a CA Priest and the style is completely different from my home parish. But is is a vibrant church community with a much more Evangelical outlook. But it's Sunday and Mid-week services are well attended as are its other outreach activities. They work closely together in partnership with "Churches Together" so members of other Christian denominations share worship and resources like a Youth Worker and running Alpha courses etc.
On this evidence I am unsure whether my experience is unusual or the norm. So much goes on at local church level that I can not quite understand where the figures of falling attendance are coming from.
I believe that these churches have got it right in putting people first and providing the ministry tailored to their individual situation that is needed. Of course money is tight - but so far, local fund raising to maintain the fabric of churches, has been reasonably successful most of which has come from those who are not regular attenders.
I see great reasons for hope in the churches I attend - but I can appreciate that it might not be as good elsewhere. How do we translate local success to other churches - that might be the question we should be asking ourselves.
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