Hi Cathie - you are exhausted reading about our congregation, and so am I when I describe it to you! Do you have Deacons at your church? How often do you take communion? Just wondering (or forgetting as I find myself doing these days).
I love this! I also go to a church named St. Paul's and it reminds me of your church in many ways. I grew up Anglican but spent the last 50 years in evangelical churches as a pastor and teacher. Last year my wife and I returned to my Anglican roots. I'm not a priest but am delighted to serve alongside others in this little congregation as an acolyte, lector, and eucharistic minister. :)
The church where I worship most often is closing our doors, despite the fact that we have almost six figures in our bank account. One of the primary reasons (IMHO) is that our polity (plus tradition plus gray-hairs running the denomination) is too rigid. You can't run a 30-person church with a set of rules created for a 300-person church. This is a time of lament and a time of hope that other churches can embrace the new modes of ministry that our times are demanding.
Our congregation probably exceeds your numbers by some, and we have folks coming and going every week. I’m another several months closer to the deacon training. Soon we’ll have a group psychological meeting and our safe church training. We have a missioner one Sunday a month - she comes to the twice a month Covenant/MST meeting. I’m concerned that the strong personalities in the church leadership might steer things in differing directions. But when more tasks are being taken on this may smooth out. Do you have these issues at your church? (Asked of anyone on this thread.)
I wonder if your comment show a disconnect with a fundamental premise of "free range" ministry. St Paul's isn't Fr. Cathie's church. Although in her response, she did say that she loved HER church so much. So maybe I'm the one who doesn't get it.
Hi Cathie - you are exhausted reading about our congregation, and so am I when I describe it to you! Do you have Deacons at your church? How often do you take communion? Just wondering (or forgetting as I find myself doing these days).
We do not have a deacon at our church. I celebrate the Eucharist with the congregation 2 Sundays a month. The other Sundays they do Morning Prayer.
I love this! I also go to a church named St. Paul's and it reminds me of your church in many ways. I grew up Anglican but spent the last 50 years in evangelical churches as a pastor and teacher. Last year my wife and I returned to my Anglican roots. I'm not a priest but am delighted to serve alongside others in this little congregation as an acolyte, lector, and eucharistic minister. :)
So happy for you - and for the church.
The church where I worship most often is closing our doors, despite the fact that we have almost six figures in our bank account. One of the primary reasons (IMHO) is that our polity (plus tradition plus gray-hairs running the denomination) is too rigid. You can't run a 30-person church with a set of rules created for a 300-person church. This is a time of lament and a time of hope that other churches can embrace the new modes of ministry that our times are demanding.
'you can't run a 30 person church with a set of rules created for a 300 person church'.
AMEN.
this is what I love so much about the church I serve - they are a 30 person church that is making their own rules. We're doing it together. It's fun!
Our congregation probably exceeds your numbers by some, and we have folks coming and going every week. I’m another several months closer to the deacon training. Soon we’ll have a group psychological meeting and our safe church training. We have a missioner one Sunday a month - she comes to the twice a month Covenant/MST meeting. I’m concerned that the strong personalities in the church leadership might steer things in differing directions. But when more tasks are being taken on this may smooth out. Do you have these issues at your church? (Asked of anyone on this thread.)
I wonder if your comment show a disconnect with a fundamental premise of "free range" ministry. St Paul's isn't Fr. Cathie's church. Although in her response, she did say that she loved HER church so much. So maybe I'm the one who doesn't get it.
well yes, I said 'my' church - in the sense that I would say 'my' friend or 'my' husband. a group of people I belong to and love.
I'm still not in charge! :)
Here's the thing that makes me love my church so much:
*everything* they do is about growing in faith and sharing the love of God.
then everything flows from there. They don't overcomplicate things.
I'm exhausted just reading your description! I think so many churches take on too much 'stuff', and don't prioritize the 'Good Stuff'.
I like the term special sauce. And I hope we are always looking for new ingredients or those ingredients we may be missing.
I love the way you put that, Judy!