The call for change seems to focus on two aspects of life at St Michael’s - the implied division between our two congregations and the need to reinvigorate our mission to the wider Parish of Galleywood.
I don’t think the fact that we offer two different forms of service suggests to the wider public that we are a divided church. Our newsletter is delivered, four times a year, to every home in the village and I’m sure this is seen to represent the one church of St Michael’s. I think the current feeling for ‘change’ is brought about by the concern that the congregation at COTC is stuck immovably in the past and will be dead within a decade anyway.
Whenever I attend morning service at The School I am impressed with the warmth of the welcome. I know very many of the congregation by name and the sheer enthusiasm of the worship always makes an impression; with the presence of the children underlining the family atmosphere. The carefully prepared overhead projection certainly smooths the progression of the service and I am conscious of being with people who are committed in their faith. Despite this I still choose to go to COTC.
When I was carried into church in my mother’s arms eighty years ago I was introduced into a traditional form of worship and at seventeen I made my personal commitment to God. My initial reaction to the call for change is to confront the fact that I am not the Christian that I ought to be. I may spend many hours applying my skill as a designer on behalf of St Michael’s, but would not feel comfortable knocking on my neighbour’s door to invite him to come to church – a difficult confession to make.
Having confessed my shortcomings in the way of evangelism, I feel there are many ways that our Mission can be advanced. A recent look at our website revealed the depressing blue colour theme and the fact that it appears to have been a year since it was updated. I imagine there are other ways in which we could use technology to reach our audience. I’m sure the internet could be a useful tool. I’ve not seen Facebook as the password I use for online banking and shopping is rejected by them as not secure, but I understand that anyone who is anyone should have one. Twitter, Blogging etc sound like they will connect with today’s tech-savvy audience.
I’m afraid that this all sounds a bit negative and is probably not the response expected to the Forty Days document. I’m conscious of the fact that I don’t measure up to what is required of a good and faithful servant, but I hope the front-line fighters in God’s army need some non-combatants back in the office.
I don’t think the fact that we offer two different forms of service suggests to the wider public that we are a divided church. Our newsletter is delivered, four times a year, to every home in the village and I’m sure this is seen to represent the one church of St Michael’s. I think the current feeling for ‘change’ is brought about by the concern that the congregation at COTC is stuck immovably in the past and will be dead within a decade anyway.
Whenever I attend morning service at The School I am impressed with the warmth of the welcome. I know very many of the congregation by name and the sheer enthusiasm of the worship always makes an impression; with the presence of the children underlining the family atmosphere. The carefully prepared overhead projection certainly smooths the progression of the service and I am conscious of being with people who are committed in their faith. Despite this I still choose to go to COTC.
When I was carried into church in my mother’s arms eighty years ago I was introduced into a traditional form of worship and at seventeen I made my personal commitment to God. My initial reaction to the call for change is to confront the fact that I am not the Christian that I ought to be. I may spend many hours applying my skill as a designer on behalf of St Michael’s, but would not feel comfortable knocking on my neighbour’s door to invite him to come to church – a difficult confession to make.
Having confessed my shortcomings in the way of evangelism, I feel there are many ways that our Mission can be advanced. A recent look at our website revealed the depressing blue colour theme and the fact that it appears to have been a year since it was updated. I imagine there are other ways in which we could use technology to reach our audience. I’m sure the internet could be a useful tool. I’ve not seen Facebook as the password I use for online banking and shopping is rejected by them as not secure, but I understand that anyone who is anyone should have one. Twitter, Blogging etc sound like they will connect with today’s tech-savvy audience.
I’m afraid that this all sounds a bit negative and is probably not the response expected to the Forty Days document. I’m conscious of the fact that I don’t measure up to what is required of a good and faithful servant, but I hope the front-line fighters in God’s army need some non-combatants back in the office.
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