What is in Kelvin's Head?

  • Who we are

    Right, here is a little verbatim to get you thinking.

    The scene is a concert given by a famous jazz musician a few weeks ago in an American cathedral. I’ve been nudged to the front to sit with the bigwigs. As we sit waiting for the music, I hear this conversation going on somewhere behind me.

    Person 1: Wow, isn’t this space amazing. I never knew it was so beautiful.

    Person 2: I know, I’ve never been in here before either.

    Person 1: What is it anyway? What kind of church?

    Person 2: It is the Episcopals

    Person 1: Well, it is really special, the building and all. Which ones are the Episcopals again? Are they the ones that have divorce?

    Person 2: Yes, they do. And women priests. They’ve got one here!

    Person 1: Really? Wow! All this, and divorce and women priests. Maybe I should give them a try…

    Now, how does that exchange make you feel? Does it lift the soul or not?  Can you flesh out your feelings with some further thoughts?

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3 responses to “25 More Questions for people who want to make their churches grow”

  1. Janet Avatar
    Janet

    ‘In the next month are you more likely to spend time on ecumenical activities or church growth activities?’ Do you have to chose between these two activities? Are they mutually exclusive?

    Reply
    1. Kelvin Avatar
      Kelvin

      Yes, that’s exactly the kind of choice many people do face frequently.

      The point really is that we all have choices to make and limited time. Churches which grow often have people in them who give up other worthy and worthwhile things to help make them grow.

      Reply
  2. Dharma N. Cuthbert Avatar
    Dharma N. Cuthbert

    Obviously I have read the 25 more things etc. Although I am a member of the local church,. The volunteer coordinator is not known to me. I have been attending the church for 14 months. Children are welcome to attend the church, as long as they don’t annoy the harpies. Recently a family who were involved in the music played in the church. Apparently there child was a bit of a handful, and one of the congregation said something about this,to the parents. Now they worship in a Church of Scotland, and will not be back.
    This leads to some people also leaving. I now pay for a bus to Inverness and go to the Cathedral’s services. If this continues the church will not survive. In one sense that may not be bad, this church is one of two joined together. As far as I know the entire congregation have cars, so travelling to the sister church would not be a problem. The comments are perhaps not immediately apparent, in the way you have written the list.

    Reply

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