• Who guessed the Pope would turn out to be Mrs Beamish?

    It has been wonderful seeing the enthusiasm of Roman Catholic friends for the refreshing breeze that Pope Francis has been bringing to their church over the last few months.

    Lots of Anglicans are hugely admiring of what he has managed to achieve.

    But what’s this coming from the Vatican now?

    No less than an injunction to calm it down during the Peace in the mass.

    A document has emerged which suggests several different ways in which to ensure that things don’t get over exuberant. As well as discouraging people from moving from their place, it also suggests:

    “changing the way in which the exchange of peace is made.” In particular it notes that “familiar and worldly gestures of greeting” should be substituted with “other, more appropriate gestures.”

    Well, there’s a whole load of other Anglicans are going to be impressed by this developement, I guess.

    But who guessed that the Pope would turn out to be Mrs Beamish?

     

3 responses to “The Four Horsemen of Growth – their names and their characteristics”

  1. Christine McIntosh Avatar
    Christine McIntosh

    Good stuff, Kelvin!

  2. Stephen Plant Avatar
    Stephen Plant

    An interesting article Kelvin. However I suspect it may be city centric. Have you any knowledge of these four horsemen galloping out into the Highlands and Islands ?

    1. Kelvin Avatar

      I did name one church in this diocese that is very definitely not in a city. And I certainly do know areas of the Highlands and Islands where there’s a demographic shift going on and particular locales are now repopulating.

      You can get faster internet access on some islands these days than I can in Great Western Road – and that’s a deliberate attempt to put in infrastructure to support new working age populations.

      If there’s another way of growing churches other than the four that I’ve mentioned that I’m unaware of which I’ve missed because I’m based in a city then I’m all ears.

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