Will people come back to church?

Charlie Mackesy is his wonderful book ‘The Boy, the mole, the fox and the horse’ offers the following insight. ‘What do you think is the biggest waste of time?’ asked the boy. ‘Comparing yourself to others’ said the mole. Last evening I had my ministerial review with a man who has been an excellent support to my ministry over the last few years by the name of Mark Andrews. Towards the end of our long discussions where Mark had listened patiently to my meandering thoughts and then helpfully drew out the important issues raised he said ‘Has your church discussed the likelihood of people returning to church when we are given the go-ahead? He said that people at his church in Warfield were confident folk would return but Mark was more cautious and raised issues around folk getting into different habits on Sunday mornings, people still nervous about their health, people perhaps not thinking they have a role or a part to play should they return.

I asked Mark had he thought about another issue that has raised it’s head which is the fact that modern technology and communication has allowed people to watch the services and listen to talks and lectures from around the world? Some people have enjoyed the charismatic sermons and talks from Bishops as far away as Australia, others have watched the Diocesan services or Church of England services with occasional guest appearances from former soap stars or input from Royalty. Others have joined the clarity of thought of former Archbishops of Canterbury or the range of music from a place of pilgrimage. Children from schools have witnessed some technologically gifted priest/ lay person presenting stories and assemblies that are brilliant to watch. What Mark and I discussed and mused over was would people still value the local church with all the potential weaknesses of the local priest and lay people? Does the local church have a chance when compared with the all singing, all dancing world wide church? The answer of course is that we probably (Theologically and missionally) need both. The model of the church I have shared recognises the local, the sharing with other traditions, the Diocese and the World wide church. We need to celebrate our gathered community even in the parish centre, the shared ministry with other churches of Maidenhead Care, Street Angels, All Sorts, Open the Book in schools, and community projects like Larchfield Open Table.

We also need to remind ourselves of the wider Anglican communion. The 20 years support of OAK and the training of clergy in Kenya has enabled a relatively small church in Maidenhead to support the growth of perhaps 6-8 parishes in that amazing country spreading the good news of the gospel. We need to remind ourselves of the pastoral support and sense of belonging the local church community can offer support with and how it can be a place where people in need find a listening ear. Of course alongside this we do want to grow by listening too and enjoying worship from the gifted people from around the world to complement the local church and to inspire change and ideas.

Mark suddenly pointed out another important issue. For some years now a number of us have been concerned about young peoples wellbeing due to the pressures caused by modern media. The worry that young people see on their phones the perfect looking human, the fact that some people are living better more exciting lives than them. On many media outlets we read how successful others are leading to a lack of acceptance of who we are as individuals loved by God as his adopted brothers and sisters. Mark also wondered has the pandemic and the pyjama church drinking tea and eating marmite on toast, led to people of a more mature age comparing themselves with others with more talents than them, leaving them feeling de-skilled?

The local church gathers to break bread, open the scriptures and partakes of the body of Christ to become the Body of Christ. The gift Christ offers us draws his beloved brothers and sisters into relationship of love at the Eucharist and offers us the hope of new and transformed life here on earth as we journey as a humble pilgrim people to the heavenly banquet. Recalling our baptismal promises we go forth to channel God’s love. We go into the world to walk in God’s light, to rejoice in God’s love and reflect God’s glory. With that belief in mind we should think on  Mackesy’s advice and look forward to returning to our local gathered communities.