It is a very sad fact to admit but I am meeting more and more church leaders who live in fear of their membership. The walk on egg shells and regard their life as one that, like Damocles, has a sword hanging above it.
They preach that which they know will avoid the four 'C's of church life (Conflict, Controversy, Criticism and Catastrophe which come together to form another 'C' - Crisis!
There are those who know that the very mention of yet another 'C' word - Commitment will cause a shuffling of feet and eyes that avoid making contact with the speaker. "They come to the services they choose to attend and think I should be grateful," moaned one frustrated (and looking for another job) cleric. The problem was that those who moaned the most about lack of opportunity to lead and 'be in charge' (BIC) of things for the BIC gene is one of the most prevalent genetic problems that Church finds itself plagued by. There are so many who suffer from it and yet, when given the opportunity fail to turn up when they should or complete the task they have taken on.
A different cleric explained how there was a spoken desire to see the numbers attending church grow among the church council but when asked who was willing to get involved in new ventures all gave their excuses for not being involved. When they started one of the projects on the list the attendance was phenomenal - almost all the church turned out. But sadly, as this was an evangelistic venture it was hoped that some from outside the church family might also be there. But there were none.
A month later and the leader, along with many others who had been at the first evening, failed to appear and when telephoned after the thing had ended explained that they'd had a hard week and hadn't had time to do anything and so decided not to come! The silly Vicar told the would be leader that that was unacceptable at many levels and used that terrible 'commitment' word! The result and the of this was that at the next PCC, resignations from both council and the church were given and the project ceased and the church became divided (and diminished).
For many of us, it seems that talking about that idyllic state of 'Church Growth' is what keeps the punters happy. Well it does as long as it doesn't call upon people to actually be 'Committed' and get out and do. This is reflected in the number of churches that I happen across where the evening service has ceded to 'Simply Come Dowton to the Antiques Fair' television programmes. "They don't come to the evening services because they are in conflict with television, or as in the case of one church I happened across, the local pub's 'Prize Quiz Night!'.
So, to cut a long blog short here's the beginning of a list of words to avoid and the way to use them should you really have to (add your own to the comments - they're always useful):
Commitment - something that we wish to see in others
Evangelism - something that we bring an 'evangelist' in to do
Giving - Something that we wish other people would do
Attending - Something that applies to others because you're here!
Pax
3 comments:
You forgot the worst "C" word of all.
The one with 4 letters.
"Cash"
Use *that* one from the pulpit and you'll be lucky to escape with your life....
I think I've come to the conclusion that you have to wait for the wave before you can see lay people get more energised/involved/motivated. Trying to drum up support where no enthusiasm or understanding exists is just exhausting and demoralising. But there are always a few who 'get it'. Nurture them!
Our main rivals are "The Flower Club" and the "Womens' Rural" , then there is Scottish Country dancing, bagpipe practice and the Antiquarians.
The word which makes most of them run for these groups is "Stewardship".... of talents OR cash.
Post a Comment