The building is magnificent. It is old, not fully earthquake
proof according to today's current standards, brick and mortar and has been a
worship centre for years and years. I counted the worshippers on Sunday last: thirty and that
was stretching it a tad. How does a congregation of thirty support a projected
budget with a deficit of several thousand dollars?
We have been in negotiations with a sister congregation, and
while they were enthusiastic, and committed that enthusiasm to paper, it has waned
a bit lately. I put a fair bit of it down to a combination of age, an
unenthusiastic faith, and primarily, I think, to a lack of vision.
The median age would have to be in the late sixties. There
is a great scarcity of children. Well there would be with that median age
wouldn't there. Grand children? Saw a couple once.
So why persist?
Well a few can see that unless something is done, then 150
years of Christ in the main street will disappear. Perhaps that is what needs
to happen. After all, thirty people hardly trumpet God's message.
I am told that in any mainline church congregation today
about 75% of the congregation will be attending out of habit, because they
enjoy meeting friends or that is their one social outing. Belief has little to
do with attendance. Okay, there is one problem. Actually there is the whole
problem.
Today the mainline churches, and unfortunately it is
creeping into the Pentecostal and other movements as well, have become largely
social agencies. As such they do a great job for the Community, in which they
exist, and the Government. Need food? Go and see the local Church or the local
Foodbank run by the church. Need clothes? Need furniture? Go to the local
church Op shop. Kids need looking after before and after school while you work?
The local Government funded after-school and pre-school care centres are
probably run by a Church.
Yeah, Churches are great places to hang out, and there is
the problem. There is nothing wrong with what the churches are doing as far as
helping their neighbours is concerned. They are being 'Good Samaritans.' They love
their neighbours. They are doing all the things Christians should do: but they
are not doing it for God. They provide for the needy, but the accolades or
acknowledgement goes to those doing the work, or the churches hosting the
service. It should be going to God. It should be done for God's glory, not for
the church's glory. It should also be done free. Being paid to do God's work
rankles with me. Being a Minister or Pastor today is a career, not a calling.
Tax returns are altered. Tax avoidance is practiced. Ministers are paid by
Funeral Directors and by those getting married for conducting the relevant services.
A majority of the Ministers I have known, accept that payment as a tax free
payment and put it straight into their pockets as a 'perk.' I am not advocating
that those preaching God's word should rely on gifts, I accept that these days a
salary or similar is correct. It's the way that Church administration now
consists of numerous management layers, all of whom have their nose in the
Church trough that irks me. They are not doing that for the Glory of God. They
are doing for the glory of their own pockets and lifestyles.
However, enough of my soapbox rant.
What to do about the thirty people grouped each Sunday in
the lovely old heritage rated church building. $500,000 plus to bring it up to
safety standards. Knock it down would be the best idea. Great, let's do that.
Wait though. Before it can be knocked down there is the Council requirement
for an engineers report. Only $10,000. We can handle that: with help. The
Council will probably say the significance of the building is such that it
cannot be demolished. They will also say it cannot be used. What happens? We
put up a fence round it and walk away.
Sounds good to me. That will also let us 'do our own thing'
in a more suitable building. But what about the fact that God will disappear
from the town's main street? I don't think he is there now. There is just a
building catering for probably 10 to 15 of God's people in a largely secular
community.
Can God stay on the Main Street do you think? My answer?
Yes, but only with prayer and giving God his due.
