Yesterday evening as Tim dropped me off near to the church where I was heading for a Pastoral Visitors meeting I was stopped by a man who asked if I was the vicar ( I think the dog collar gave him a clue). Rather than bore the poor guy with the fact that I was a Methodist Minister (Presbyter) and not a vicar I simply said yes, it is an easier option! The conversation continued;
"I believe in God" he said, " and I used to go to church, but not these days, I still talk to God I suppose that is prayer, but I have questions about the stuff I was taught as a child, I can't believe that!"
I think he was shocked when I responded with the exclamation "Good, nor can I!" I explained that I thought it was good that he had questions, and that while I might not be able to answer all of them that perhaps church was a place where we could try figuring them out together. I was on safe ground, thankfully the church in question is pretty good at that, willing to journey with people, and not (in the main) convinced that they've got everything sussed.
"Can I come?" he asked, "this week, what time do you meet?"
I told him of course, gave him a card with my phone number etc, and shook his hand, we parted on first name terms and he willingly received a short blessing...
In the meeting I was asked why I thought that people aren't interested any more, I am often asked that.Laments as to why "they" aren't interested or committed is an ongoing refrain in meetings where churchy folk gather to discuss the future of church. Again and again I hope and try to suggest that we should not be asking questions about church, and we should not assume that people are asking the questions that we feel we have the answers to! More and more folk aren't asking questions about truth, more and more folk aren't interested in a debate about science and faith( many can see there is no real debate to be had!) People want to know about our experience, about whether prayer works, not the hows and whys of it. People often want to know why their Christian friends have a peaceful aura even when their lives seems stressful ( that is when their Christian friends exhibit some form of peace)....
The man who stopped me is not unusual, I am often stopped and have some amazing chats with folk who are simply interested as well as folk who are distressed and in need....
I wonder if the challenge for the church is to regain and live out a confident faith in God, again I have conversations in church with folk who are disheartened because of the assumption that "others" don't care. Somehow the two need to come together....
"Can I come?" the question was asked with a note of caution, and maybe an underlying suspicion/ fear that I might say no, or not until you're good enough or not until you believe what we believe....
Lets face it if we took that tack our churches would be empty, time then stop lamenting "their disinterest time to communicate a real welcome to really hold open the door....
As to how that would be a whole other post, and it will not include gimmicky services ( oh that would be a rant!)
