Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
The trouble with being a London priest and a journalist – and I'm guilty on both counts – is that you get a warped picture of what really matters in the Church of England. The evidence from the by-ways of our national, established Church, where the faithful struggle under the yoke of everyday human existence, is that they don't give a stuff whether they have a woman bishop, so long as she finds them a suitable non-stipendiary priest for the village church.
More to the point, can the rural church keep itself alive? Most village churches struggle to find worshippers, and usually have one vicar covering several parishes. There was recently a proposal to close our church, and since nobody I know attends, that may be the inevitable outcome. I'm more worried by the survival of our village shops and pubs, than a building I will enter three or four times in my lifetime.
I can't help thinking the best thing that could happen to the church would be separation from the state. At the moment it is a pointless and moribund arm of government. Might also help if local parishes had more autonomy to respond to local needs and issues.
I can't help thinking the best thing that could happen to the church would be separation from the state. At the moment it is a pointless and moribund arm of government. Might also help if local parishes had more autonomy to respond to local needs and issues.
For what its worth,probably nothing in this context, here in the upper US midwest(Wisconsin) rural protestant churches are dead or dying, whilst RC parishes flourish.
Please register to post and access all features of our very popular forum. It is free and quick. Over $68,000 in prizes has already been given out to active posters on our forum. Additional giveaways are planned.
Detailed information about all U.S. cities, counties, and zip codes on our site: City-data.com.
Please register to participate in our discussions with 2 million other members - it's free and quick! Some forums can only be seen by registered members. After you create your account, you'll be able to customize options and access all our 15,000 new posts/day with fewer ads.
