Church administration

[Lateralthinking1]

The last time I think I attended a service in church, I sat alongside Bono, The Edge, Holly Johnson of Frankie Goes To Hollywood, and various members of the Pogues.

There was Bach, a live performance by Billy Bragg of "A New England", a reading of a poem by Christina Rossetti, comedy-ish from Phill Jupitus, a reading of Matthew Chapter 5, verses 1 to 10, "Jerusalem", a country-tinged song and a recording of a song called "Us Amazonians" that was played so loud and momentously, my body shook.

But then it was the memorial service for Kirsty MacColl and in St Martin in the Fields where such things are not wholly unusual.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LzUDVp4Urk

[old khayyam]

As long as these activities do not involve profanity, I can't see any problem. Many of these events are going to take place at a time when the building would otherwise be locked and empty. I see no reason why a church should have a dog in the manger attitude to its buildings. Furthermore, if the churches cannot manage to pay their way, the buildings will become permanently locked and empty or be converted into night clubs.

Ah, good, this is the second part of my irk: Regardless of promotional activities, i've lost count of how many times i have walked past the church with a yearning to go in, only to find its doors locked. So if you think about it, it is only open (for its intended purpose) for about 2 hours a week.

You might then think, '2 hours a week with a free house? Its a vicar's life for me'! But i say, 'come on you lazy sod, youre supposed to be close to God. Come down here and open the door, and serve the community a little more. Otherwise, what do you work here for?'

[gradus]

Its a great pity that churces are locked and I have heard it said that some insurers believe that locking them is more likely to lead to theft and associated damge to the building but this is not the view of our church's insurer.
What is a small parish to do when faced with repeated acts of vandalism and thefts from its church? Our village church has no houses close to it and its vulnerability has not been helped by the kind people at Google Earth who provide thieves with images of church roofs so that they need not waste their time on visiting churches whose lead has already been stolen. So far theft and associated damage has cost around £14,000 and there is no prospect of anyone being caught let alone prosecuted.
Our solution is to draw up a weekend rota so that the church always has someone in attendance - easier described than achieved - and can be kept open during daylight hours in Summer.

[scottycelt]

Which seems to be the fate of both redundant churches and redundant banks. God & Mamon eventualy finding a form of unanimity?

I think you'll find that both God and Mammon will tend to be around for some time, unlike socialist paradises, Flossie ...

[Flosshilde]

I thought Heaven is a socialist paradise?

[scottycelt]

I thought Heaven is a socialist paradise?

Something to be said for Hell, after all, then ... ?

[old khayyam]

I have since found that one 'entertainments administrator' in a church i know quite well is completely secular and doesnt even attend services..

[vinteuil]

I thought Heaven is a socialist paradise?

... o it always struck me as pretty hierarchical - all those 'Thrones, Dominations, Princedoms, Virtues, Powers' - the seraphim bossing the cherubim who in turn boss the lesser angels.

When Jesus says "In My Father's house are many mansions" [John xiv 2] he is not saying all the mansions are of the same size or standing....

[Flosshilde]

So I'll still be stuck with my present hovel, then?

[Flosshilde]

I have since found that one 'entertainments administrator' in a church i know quite well is completely secular and doesnt even attend services..

Judging by some of the comments on the 'Choir' forum some people only go to a service for the 'entertainment' provided by the choir (& by the arguments after about the comparitive merits of boys & girls - as singers)