Small churches are talked *about* more than they are talked *to*
St. Paul's flipped that script at Diocesan Convention this year
On the one hand, being a small church at Diocesan convention is an exercise in invisibility. Sometimes literally - the Diocese of North Carolina closed four churches at convention.
And for those of us still around - well, we get talked about more than we get talked to.
It can feel like we’re a problem to solve more than a source of wisdom of spiritual strength.
St. Paul’s flipped the script on that this year with our exhibition booth where we shared about .
We shared the ‘Hearts up!’ practice and invited everyone to practice Vigil during Advent this year.
This week’s announcements
Here’s what we noticed:
People were very interested in spiritual practice.
Everyone kept saying - ‘Where is St. Paul’s?’ ‘That’s so great that you are doing this’, ‘my congregation (my family, myself…) would love this!’
We were the small church people were talking about. And talking with.
So often, it seems like being small is seen as an unfortunate situation.
And if we think in terms of the model of church that lives in our heads - full-time staff, a set of programs, a building and grounds, all cared for and financially supported by one group of people - then I guess it is.
But this model is hardly working for any churches right now.
Small churches are discovering new models - based on spiritual practice, close community, focus on worship, taking care of our neighbors, and partnering with clergy in sustainable ways.
That’s something worth paying attention to.
At least, it seemed that way this week.
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