|
Dear Friends
As I write this letter for the Magazine plans are in place for a few of us from both congregations to attend a meeting in the Church offices in Edinburgh to find out more about an initiative which is called 'Back to Church Sunday'. The aim of this initiative is exactly as you would expect - it does what it says on the tin! It is an opportunity for us to invite back to church people who once came to worship but no longer do so.
This is a programme that has been running down South for the last few years, and it has succeeded in encouraging 30,000 people back to church. The meeting that a few of us are attending will give us more information on how the programme has operated and what needs to be done if we want to take it on. I am very hopeful that this might be for us a simple, straightforward and yet effective way of welcoming people back to church.
It is one of those things that we often talk about, isn't it? How the church was once full, how communion Sundays were so busy in years gone by, how things have changed and how good it would be to see things turning full circle. I don't imagine there is any one of us who would disagree with that! It would be wonderful to see more people at worship. The whole atmosphere of the congregation would change and spirits would be lifted. It is impossible to know why people who once came no longer do. Maybe they lost interest, maybe something happened or did not happen that made them feel out of place or ill at ease, maybe there were changes in their lives that caused a crisis of faith. There is no way of us knowing. However, the point of this initiative is not to look back but to look forward - to say to people, 'it would be great to see you there'. After all if we believe the church has a place in our lives, if we believe that our faith makes a difference, then it makes sense to encourage others with our enthusiasm. I sincerely hope that the idea of a 'Back to Church Sunday' might show us the way ahead and provide a focus for our welcome and a way of pointing out our 'open door'.
However, while a special Sunday might be of real benefit, welcoming people back to church does not actually require a special event. It is something that can - maybe even should be happening all the time. I am sure many of us meet people - family, friends, neighbours - who once came to worship but who no longer do. All that would be needed would be a comment, an invitation, a word of encouragement - it might not have the effect we desire, but then again it could be exactly what is needed to help people to know they are sincerely and truly welcome.
I look forward to seeing you at worship - and hopefully we might be able to welcome many others also.
Every blessing
lain
|
