Good food, good music, traditional liturgy and sound preaching: a recipe for church growth

Jan 26, 2022 by Jill

by Archbishop Cranmer:

Attendance at the monthly Choral Evensong at St Paul’s Without the Walls in Canterbury had fallen to just one, while the choir numbered a respectable 18. And when this lone congregant was down on the rota to read the scriptures (ie, every month), he faced rows of empty pews, the choir being ranged in the stalls behind him.

So, what do you do when the church choir outnumbers the congregation?

You could ditch the Book of Common Prayer, arguing that its archaic language and otiose liturgy are meaningless to today’s generation. “Church growth is crucial,” said Fred. “We must modernise to be relevant.”

“We must become more acceptable to LGBTQIA and BAME and BIPOC and NS-SEC people, and make sure we don’t use words, expressions or tedious acronyms which stereotype, demean or exclude people,” Agnes insisted.

“We could get rid of the old church building and become a ‘Fresh Expression’ above the Chinese Takeaway,” said Bob.

“We should become sustainable. Let’s put solar panels on the roof, and have a debate about the environment,” said Maureen.

“We could go back to basics,” Michael ventured, tentatively. “Let’s focus on good preaching, good music and good fellowship. And let’s add good food, as well.”

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