George Carey
didn’t get much of a good press during his time as Archbishop of Canterbury but
he did, in my book, have one advantage over some others who have held that
office in that he had actually served as the minister of a local church before
his ‘elevation’. In particular he pastored
St Nicholas’ Parish Church in the centre of Durham in the 1970’s. These became significant years for this
congregation – years of growth with a developing sense of identity in being a ‘Church
in The Market Place’. George Carey even
published a book under that title detailing something of their journey
together.
Some rather exclusive theologies have historically advocated that The Church should be separate from ‘The World’. Although I would understand that in terms of having a different agenda and set of core values – I’m more and more convinced that the only way we can live out our calling to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ is if we fully accept the concept of being a ‘Church in The Market Place.
Last Sunday Amersham held its Town Show on the King George V field opposite the civic offices. From what I saw it was a success. On stage it drew together singers and choirs from across the area and along the ‘corridor’ of gazebos one charity organisation after another rubbed shoulders. During the afternoon I bumped into so many people from our congregation involved in all these different organisations - and that's a healthy sign for any church - to have people involved in the community.
I was also pleased to see COTHA (Churches on the Hill Amersham) and CTACB (Churches Together in Amersham and Chesham Bois) have stalls next to each other playing a full and much appreciated part in this community day event. It’s where we need to be – out in society – as a Church in The Market Place. So ‘well done’ to everyone who helped make it happen.
However, that concept of being ‘part’ of the community isn’t limited to a town show – it’s part of our everyday ministry.
Whilst on holiday in the Austrian Tyrol recently I was struck by the ornate onion shape domed church in the village of Kitzbuhel where we were staying. It was just off centre and surrounded by a fascinating and large graveyard. Walking through this hallowed space was a salutary and, I think, slightly overwhelming experience. In keeping with local custom most gravestones had pictures of the departed on them – spending fifteen minutes reading the inscriptions and looking at the photographs was enough for me.
Our church at Amersham – like most in which I’ve served – isn’t quite as ‘pretty’ as the one in Austria and is surrounded not by a well kept graveyard but by a well used car park. I confess I prefer the later! I like the sense that around our building cars come and go bringing people to our services and meetings and those put on by our user groups. There is something about that sense of momentum which chimes in with an understanding of ourselves as a ‘Church in The Market Place’.
Best wishes,
Some rather exclusive theologies have historically advocated that The Church should be separate from ‘The World’. Although I would understand that in terms of having a different agenda and set of core values – I’m more and more convinced that the only way we can live out our calling to be ‘salt’ and ‘light’ is if we fully accept the concept of being a ‘Church in The Market Place.
Last Sunday Amersham held its Town Show on the King George V field opposite the civic offices. From what I saw it was a success. On stage it drew together singers and choirs from across the area and along the ‘corridor’ of gazebos one charity organisation after another rubbed shoulders. During the afternoon I bumped into so many people from our congregation involved in all these different organisations - and that's a healthy sign for any church - to have people involved in the community.
I was also pleased to see COTHA (Churches on the Hill Amersham) and CTACB (Churches Together in Amersham and Chesham Bois) have stalls next to each other playing a full and much appreciated part in this community day event. It’s where we need to be – out in society – as a Church in The Market Place. So ‘well done’ to everyone who helped make it happen.
However, that concept of being ‘part’ of the community isn’t limited to a town show – it’s part of our everyday ministry.
Whilst on holiday in the Austrian Tyrol recently I was struck by the ornate onion shape domed church in the village of Kitzbuhel where we were staying. It was just off centre and surrounded by a fascinating and large graveyard. Walking through this hallowed space was a salutary and, I think, slightly overwhelming experience. In keeping with local custom most gravestones had pictures of the departed on them – spending fifteen minutes reading the inscriptions and looking at the photographs was enough for me.
Our church at Amersham – like most in which I’ve served – isn’t quite as ‘pretty’ as the one in Austria and is surrounded not by a well kept graveyard but by a well used car park. I confess I prefer the later! I like the sense that around our building cars come and go bringing people to our services and meetings and those put on by our user groups. There is something about that sense of momentum which chimes in with an understanding of ourselves as a ‘Church in The Market Place’.
Best wishes,
No comments:
Post a Comment