In preparation for this weekend’s Back to Church Sunday, Stephen Cottrell (Bishop of Reading) has suggested that the Church of England has become the equivalent of Marks and Spencer, even though Jesus would be just as happy purchasing his provisions in Aldi. You can read the article in the Guardian or the actual press release from the Church of England to see his comments. Stephen Tomkins (editor, Ship of Fools.com) has also thrown his penny worth into the debate.
Of course, what +Stephen is actually talking about is not where Christians should do their shopping, but encouraging people to “come as they are” to church – the theme of this year’s Back to Church Sunday initiative – and shed the image of the church as home of the middle classes.
Is it really that easy?
Firstly, BTCS as I understand it, is about individuals inviting people who have drifted away from church to come back. That means it relies on personal contact where there is already a friendship and degree of trust, and that the invitees will have some understanding and awareness of a church, so its not a concept that is completely alien to them. This is completely different to going out onto the streets and asking random strangers if they would like to sit in a pew on a Sunday morning (as the Guardian journalist seems to have done).
Secondly, individuals can try to put their preconceived ideas about the church behind them, but are they actually misconceptions? I”m sure many churches will put on a fantastic “show” this Sunday, and have enthusiastic welcome teams etc. What happens a week later when churches revert back to type, not necessarily because they don’t want to welcome newcomers/returners, but because the effort involved isn’t sustainable on a regular basis.
And do churches really want people to come as they are? The homeless guy who hasn’t had a decent wash for a few weeks? The alcoholic who’s downed a couple of bottles of White Lighting by 10 o’clock on Sunday morning? The prostitute who walks past the church in the morning having been “working” all night? The transvestite that the kids all snigger at? The gay couple living round the corner? The local youths that kick their footballs against the windows and graffiti on the church wall? The list could go on and on…Are we prepared to welcome people as they are into the church? Not just put programmes and courses on for them, or see them as the next counselling project, but truly welcome them into the church family as individuals made in the image of God for whom Jesus sacrificed His life?
No, I’m not either.
And as difficult as that is to admit, I think we need to be honest about it. Its easy to say “come as you are” if you’re like us, if you’re friends with us. It gets much, much harder when people are different and unknown.
I think +Stephen is right. The Church does come across as middle-class. But its going to take more than one Bishop, and more than one Sunday to change perceptions.
Image by LauraMary