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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-01-04, Page 51 2-1HE HURON EXPOSITOR, January 4, lugs Close-up Small, rural churches threatened Can small, rural churches survive the predicted decline in United Church membership? Dr. Reginald Bibby's report, Unitrends, says the membership m the United Church could face a dramatic decline in the coming years. It may not be possible to have full-time ministers in every charge in the future, suggests The Rever- end Randy Banks, minister at Duff's United Church in Walton. Some smaller churches may not be able to survive. He notes the rural churches will be affected by the depopulation of the countryside and the influx of new people from other denomina- tions. There are more people in the area, he said, who don't see "the church at the crossroads as their commun- ity church." Can the United Church return to the 'glory days' when the church was at the centre of community life? Rev. Banks doesn't think Church must reach The United Church must reach the young people on the streets who aren't likely to enter the doors of a church, says The Reverend Bruce Cook. The minister serving the Seaforth Pastoral Charge of the United Church is a member of the depart- ment which , commissioned the provocative new document called Unitrends. He is a member of the Department of Stewardship Services and Chair of the London Confer- ence Division of Stewardship. He was at the Annual General Meeting of the Department of Stewardship Services where the report, prepared by Dr. Reginald Bibby, was first presented. One of the items given strong emphasis by survey respondents was the importance of good Sunday Schools. Rev. Cook called that a beginning for change but said the church can't be satisfied just with improving Sunday Schools. "It's not enough to say we've got 30 or 40 in our Sunday Schools," he said. "A Sunday School that stops in grade six won't be adequate in the (year 2,000 and beyond)." Rev. Cook notes that other denominations train people for specific outreach programs like youth ministry. The church must have mid -week • and outreach programs and youth programs (for example, a Christian - based drop-in centre), he said. "The status quo is not going to work," he said. "We've got groups of young people (on the streets of Seaforth)...they're not going to come through the gothic.doors of• the church...we can't just be here, we have to go out there." The church also has to celebrate the fact that people in the commun- ity are doing Christian work today. "Let's celebrate . what we are doing now and we'll be in a posi- tive frame of mind to sec how that might fit into the needs of tomor- row." Stewardship, said Rev. Cook, is more than a financial campaign but a philosophy of being entrusted with gifts from God and caring for Creation. that's probable. In reference to his own church, he said when Duff's Presbyterian Church's new building was opened in 1912 it held three worship ser- vices and each one was packed. The church has evolved from seat- ing requirements for 350 tb a con- gregation which could on some Sundays be fi.tainto a classroom. The Reverend Bruce Cook, minis- ter at Northside and Cavan United Churches, notes there are four large churches in Seaforth. The churches will have to make better use of facilities in the future, he said. Traditionally most money has been spent on buildings but in the future more money must be spent on programs for the church membership. The last General Council of the United Church said theological students would have something to do with rural life, according to Rev. Cook. outh on streets NORTHSIDE - Is one of several Church report. Fewer people are ready to take on long-term commitments for work in the church, said Rev. Cook, who said people feel their time is being squeezed.. People are also compartmentaliz- ing religion in their lives, keeping worship separate from the rest of their social time. "People have really categorized where religion or faith really hits their lives." The work of the church is being done by fewer people and the church can respond by asking church volunteers to help on pro- jects of shorter duration. "You're going to need a cors.,of people serving as elders but §hitt away from them doing all the United Churches in the area which may be affected by a new United work," said Rev. Cook. If people are matched with the work that interests them they will return to volunteer again, he explained. One myth which seems to be exploded by the Bibby Report is the notion that every church goer wants a visit from his or her pastor. Good sermons were important to the respondents to the survey but some local ministers say stimulating sermons alone are not enough to meet the challenges facing the church. About half of the United Church leadership and three quarters of average members believe tithing (giving 10 per cent of earnings back to the church) is unrealistic in the How can church reach out? The new Bibby Report on United Church trends raises some -provoca- tive questions about how a church can minister to those people with no history of church -going. The Reverend Randy Banks, minister at Duffs United Church in Walton, says we are living in a 'post -Christian or non-Christian' society where some families have gone two or three generations with no concept of worshipping God in church. "They don't know the Christmas story, they don't know the Easter story," he said. The United Church has a good history of bringing back members who have a history of involvement with the church. (Although Dr. Bibby's report says the church's 'farm system' is being threatened). The church hasn't been very suc- cessful at bringing in people who have no history with the church, said The Reverend Brucc Cook, minister of Seaforth Pastoral Charge. Some people might enter a small church and feel like an outsider, he said. The small churches arc very successful, however, in creating the atmosphere of a family for church members. "What's really exciting is if someone has a fire (or tragedy) overnight the church has responded." Less politics, more religion urged In the past the United Church has bombarded its congregations with world social and political issues, said The Reverend Randy Banks, minister at Duff's United Church in Walton. It has relied on task forces and study groups and addressed "every injustice, every social evil." "I think the people feel too swamped by some of these real- ities," said Rev. Banks. He said the national church has often ridden off in all directions on all issues when it must concentrate on a few issues it addresses well. A new report, prepared by sociol- ogist Dr. Reginald Bibby, also suggests the church must better meet the spiritual needs of par- ishioners. "We do have to rediscover our spirituality within the church," said Rev. Banks. When the United Church concen- trates on broader justice issues it sometimes downplays the impact of a personal relationship with Jesus, said The Reverend Bruce Cook, minister of Seaforth Pastoral Charge. "The Christian message is notjust how we live our lives but that God "In the 70's we learned to be good lobbyists...in the 90's we have to come together and celebrate our common faith." has a personal relationship with us," he said. The church should not abandon its work for social reform and justice, , said Rev. Cook, but it should chan- nel its energies more towatds edu- cation. "We've done a good job of lobbying sometimes, but where (10 we go from here?" he said. "It's not wrong to be against the abuse of women, against pomogra- phy, it's not wrong to be one of the feyv voices battling cider abuse, it's not\ wrong fighting apartheid, it's not wrong saying what's happening in Bosnia and Rwanda...but the degree we sink our energies (into those issues) may have been wrong." • He said United Church Moderator Marion Best is addressing the issue by stressing prayer and reading the scripture together. "In the 70's we learned to be good lobbyists...in the 90's we have to come together and celebrate our common faith." The United Church has to evan- gelize by reaching out into the community, said Rev. Banks. He points out the Walton church's Fall Supper as an example of an event which "reaches out to all the people who don't attend church on a regular bas." The church is also becoming more involved in the community through joint involve- ment with other community groups, such as the neighbouring school. His wife, Patty Banks, notes that Duff's United Church has a good Sunday School and that "there's still a lot of hope" for the growth of the church. If sociologist Dr. Reginald Bibby's report is a 'wake-up call' for the church, it is' up to the church to respond. "We've had wake-up calls for years," said Rev. Banks. "I haven't seen us wake up yet." 1990's. "To say someone has to give 10 per cent when we're in a generation that lives for itself is a hard thing," said Rev. Cook. "It's not going to change by having sermons about tithing...somewhere along the line we haven't convinced people they have received (from God)." One statistic with serious implica- tions, cited by Rev. Cook, is the fact that only slightly more than half of United Church goers donate to the national work of the church through the Mission and Service fund. Rev. Cook cites the startling statistic that Canadians are more likely to cheat on their income tax than to go to church. 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Doctor Referral not necessar�j Initial consultation - Free For appointment call i • 27 Bruce St., West, Goderich 524-4121 ihe seo,o„n BOTTLE DRIVE ••• SCOUTS CANADA Boy Scouts Annual SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 - 9 AM - 12 NOON BOTTLES CAN ALSO BE DROPPED OFF AT OPTIMIST HALL THAT MORNING. FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT 527-0548 of 522-0112 *THIS ADVERTISEMENT IS SPONSOREDBY: Countrywide RF..\I:TI INC. Seaforth RecreationDepartment's WINTER LEISURE ACTIVITIES FURNITURE REFINISHING Instructor Harvey Beuerman will guide you through the techniques of stripping down your old piece of furniture and show you how to make it look like new. This 10 week program will be held at the Seaforth District High School on Monday evenings from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. beginning: MONDAY, JANUARY 9, 1995 REGISTRATION FEE: $40.00 STEP TRAINING Maxine Houston will guide you through this higher paced fitness activity on Wednesday evenings from 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at the Seaforth and District Community Centres. This 10 week session begins:. JANUARY 11, 1995 REGISTRATION FEE: $30.00 - RECREATION VOLLEYBALL This program is for the non-competitive person who wants to get out for some exercise and social! Volleyball will be held at the High School on Wednesday evenings from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. REGISTRATION FEE $30.00 RECREATION BASKETBALL This program is also for the non-competitive per- son who would like a night out for exercise and social. Basketball will be held at the High School on Thursday evenings from 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. REGISTRATION FEE: $30.00 FITNESS IS FUN Come out and tone up on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Wednesday evenings from 8:00 - 9:00 p.m. all at the Seaforth & District Community Centres. This is 10 week session. beginning the week of TUESDAY, JANUARY 10, 1995 REGISTRATION FEE: Once per week 30.00 Twice per week 45.00 Three times per week 60.00 LINE DANCING: This program. directed towards the older adult will give you a good workout as well as learning some Line Dancing. This slower paced dancing will be held at the Seaforth and District Community Centres every Thursday morning from 9 - 10 a.m. for 10 weeks beginning: THURSDAY, JANUARY 12, 1995 REGISTRATION FEE - $30.00 PLEASE PRE -REGISTER FOR ALL THE ABOVE PROGRAMS BY CALLING THE RECREATION OFFICE AT 527-0882 • Standard First Aid course will be offered in the new year. Please watch for details. • If you or someone you know can instruct Children's Gymnastics please call Marty at 527-0882 • I',• ;r,..„. t„ �.�'.,t( h for in the spring will be Dog Obedience and Water Colour Painting