The CofE should sell all of its property, paintings and investments and give them to the poor!
There are a few points that need to be considered here:
Point the first
There are many places where the CofE is to be found that wouldn't be there if it wasn't for the money that the Church Commissioners put into the diocese in which they exist. The diocese I live in benefits greatly from such generosity and if there were no assets from which to make money where would this money come from? From the pockets of those who encourage the church to sell? Nah, didn't think so!
People have to realise that much of what they expect to be done by 'Church' is funded by 'Church' and as much as they have expectations, they have neither financial support nor membership in their minds when they speak out!
Point the second
Many of the those assets were gifts. If we were to relinquish them then, like designated offerings, the money realised has to be used for the purpose for which the gift was given or perhaps, as with the armed forces, it would be right to offer them back to the donor or one of their successors rather than sell them. Either way, the question has to be that when assets as a source of funding have been removed, where is the funding going to come from?
Point the third
'The poor' - who are they because it seems to me that 'the poor' are an abstract group who are dragged out for the purpose of making a point yet despised for actually having the temerity to exist.
The homeless poor and the question, "Why are they homeless?" always seems to end in the judgment that they are the victims of their own folly most of the time. Of course this isn't true and there are a great many deserving homeless out there in need of a council who does what is both moral and right and a social/psychiatric care service that works for rather than looks to find an exeat when it comes to involvement.
Those who have 'opted' out and are living 'alternative (some would say 'anarchistic') lives outside of the constraints of 'working for the man' and being 'part of the system'. Ironically though, most of those I've met find themselves engaged in presenting themselves as 'supporters' and events like Dale Farm, motorway or by-pass construction sites, animal something or other (and we should include foxy something or others too I suppose!) and protests in towns and cities (regardless of the issue!).
It's perhaps ironic that just about every one of those who fit this category are totally against 'the man' and yet wail and rant if their benefits aren't forthcoming. All the benefits and none of the responsibility perhaps sums these up best. The problem is that these cloud the perceptions and attitudes of many against all 'the poor' because they are merely scroungers who need a bath and a job!
The poor who smoke, drink and have a great life who probably do exist but are very much a minority (in my experience). I do know some on the poverty line who will buy their cigarettes, lottery ticket and alcohol before their kids get fed! but these are very much in the minority and my experience is that they will eat less (or less often) to ensure their kids are cared for)! For the Daily Mail readers among us we can include 'single parents' here too!
The 'genuine' poor who struggle because of disability, joblessness through redundancy, closures, the recessions and circumstance. Those who not that long ago were homeowners, tax payers and productive members of society. Those who were 'haves' and now find themselves having paid into the system, paid the game and yet are stuffed (Consider the demise of EMA and the kids who can't afford to do 'A' levels because this government has devised a 'better' system i.e. just don't pay it!) as we make reductions that act against the middle class (somewhat) and the poorer (a great deal).
Is it any wonder that ordinary people want to see the banker's and those who work in the 'fat cat', excess-ridden, 'all the profits and benefits but no accountability' world of stocks and shared stuffed? Is it ant wonder that people want to camp outside St Paul's and voice their outrage that the general public are paying with their homes, jobs and children's futures to bail out banks whilst the very people who caused the problem i.e. the financial sector and the regulatory bodies and the spendthrift Labour government (remember them - the same people who sanctimoniously spout against all as if they were never there?) who fiddled and PFI'd our nation's wellbeing away.
Well, for those who want to take a pop at the good old CofE, here's a bit of news - we are out there doing as we always have, supporting the poor, the dispossessed, the homeless, the abused and the voiceless and rather than keep droning on about 'all the wealth' why don't you put your criticism where it belongs and get as engaged as we are (or at least take it to those who are guilty i.e. the politicians, regulators and bankers)?
The CofE is engaged with the genuine, the foolhardy, the addicted and the alien (other countries, not extra-terrestrial) members of society. It offers support and comfort to all, regardless of race, creed or colour (we'd even help a banker!!!) and it does this through the generosity and commitment of it's members, the money it makes through its investments (which I understand could have been done a lot better for a long time - but that's for another day and for someone who knows this stuff. Anyone want to write a page on it here?) and the stuff it owns.
So - in short (after a very long!) - keep on owning, investing (properly and ethically) and making money where you legitimately can Church Commissioners because we need all the money you can generate, for our members are cash-strapped and giving until they bleed to be Church and do the work of the Christian in our society. And for you who want to see the CofE sell everything, put your money where your mouth is and send Rowan your standing order forms and when they equal what comes in from investments there will be a reason to sell everything (they won't be needed!).
The ball's in your court (but I won't hold my breath!).
Pax
ps. What an enjoyable rant - feel so much better now :-)
1 comment:
The thing that those people forget is that much of the running costs of the church are given through the collection plate, by the supposedly dwindling numbers attending services.
I've not noticed any decline in attendance, but a small decline in giving, as many of our 'genuine' poor or those who've lost their jobs or are struggling with pay freezes and increased energy, food or rent inflation, can't afford to be as generous as they once were.
I've often thought that we should lock up our ancient, creaking, leaking churches and use modern facilities for worship, but as I sit in one of our ancient sacred spaces and worship in cold, the prayers and worship of the saints through the ages overwhelms me, and I fall in love with the place all over again.
I'm not sure what the future holds, but am trusting that in God's providence we will struggle and survive, which is a fact of life for so many.
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