I have an idea that the reason why many people don't go to church services is because they believe that people are responsible for developing their own 'spirituality' and don't want to commit to what they presume is a 'fixed package'.
On Sunday we tried a 'Café Church' format in which, rather than (as it were) everybody boarding a tour bus for a fixed tour with running commentary all the way, in this case the 'sights' (that is, 'stations' for prayer, for reflection, for socialising, for singing etc.) were spread out around the building and people were given a printed guide map. So they were free to come and go as they pleased, and spend as much time at as many of the 'stations' as they wanted to. In other words : take responsibility for their own spirituality and worship.
The members, with a couple of exceptions, didn't seem able to handle it, and most of them didn't even come! Sounds like the 'fixed tour' is what they're comfortable with, and they're not even willing to try anything else.
I'm not sure what conclusions to draw. Any suggestions?
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2 comments:
Keep trying, maybe on a fixed Sunday each month. Well done for trying and don't give up after a one shaky start!
Put flyers around all the houses in the locality, especially new ones with young families - social housing in Saunders Road and Badger Walk, and key worker housing in Owens Way. Follow up the flyers with personal visits from church members, making sure the flyers explain that there will be activities suitable for all ages and that all will be welcome to the Cafe worship. Cafe worship is not that much of a leap from a community cafe/soup kitchen. See if you can get literature into local schools or even go along to lead assemblies to explain what cafe worship is.
Start an after-school club for kids to come and get help with homework etc.
Good luck with it!
Tony
This was at the other church I'm responsible for, in fact. We had leafletted the entire estate (and the local pub), and the flyers gave quite a clear picture of what was on offer, I think.
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