Not religious but love feeling at Church

Torry_Quine

Newly_retired wrote: »

By and large the churches that are growing most, numerically, tend not to be the quiet ones using the Book of Common Prayer services. They tend to use contemporary worship, often led by a music group rather than an organ.
Each to their own, but looking round my church, which is fairly traditional, there are probably around 30 people who do various "jobs" to keep the building and the services running, and only two are under 65. Many are now getting too old to continue to do these jobs and there is nobody stepping up to take over. We don't see many new people, and have about a further 30 people who just come to worship and do not offer to help in any way. I am not sure what the way ahead is, but if things don't change, there will be nobody to help to run the church in 10 years time. This story could be repeated across the country.

In my church there are many in there 20s and 30s and they are very willing to hep out.

It does sadden me to see churches such as yours which may face difficult choices if no one steps up to do the work needed

System

Torry_Quine wrote: »

In my church there are many in there 20s and 30s and they are very willing to hep out.

It does sadden me to see churches such as yours which may face difficult choices if no one steps up to do the work needed

I'm not saying i wasnt willing to step up and help. I was on the creche rota and quite willing to do my bit but i am saying i found the commitment hard.

Jackieboy

Torry_Quine wrote: »

I've never known a church where children didn't go out after the first few songs for Sunday School although its not compulsory. It would be hard for children to stay for the hour or more and would mean some sermons would have to be changed due to childrens' level.of understanding. With creche aged children some parents may have them with them for at least part of the service, especially if feeding them but for others the chance to worship without worrying about their childs needs.

I know some chuches that have Sunday School duing the main Sunday service but you couldn't offer this for all serices, surely?

I think it important for a family to worship together wherever possible and for children to learn how to behave in church when young or when are they ever going to learn this?

Jackieboy

Newly_retired wrote: »

By and large the churches that are growing most, numerically, tend not to be the quiet ones using the Book of Common Prayer services. They tend to use contemporary worship, often led by a music group rather than an organ.
Each to their own, but looking round my church, which is fairly traditional, there are probably around 30 people who do various "jobs" to keep the building and the services running, and only two are under 65. Many are now getting too old to continue to do these jobs and there is nobody stepping up to take over. We don't see many new people, and have about a further 30 people who just come to worship and do not offer to help in any way. I am not sure what the way ahead is, but if things don't change, there will be nobody to help to run the church in 10 years time. This story could be repeated across the country.

I was fortunate that my last parish church and the Catholic church as well were both well attended and thriving but that was in a town and, as high C of E, it attracted people from other areas who didn't want to go to a happy clappy modern service. It even flourished after one well loved vicar went over to the Orthodox church, taking a number of parishioners with him. Two out of three Sunday services uses the BCP so that will be a draw for many people.

That was ten years ago but it sounds as if they're still doing well from what I can see on their website, with average attendance of 110 worshippers on a Sunday. http://www.rydeallsaints.org.uk/whats-on/services/

Torry_Quine

Judi wrote: »

I'm not saying i wasnt willing to step up and help. I was on the creche rota and quite willing to do my bit but i am saying i found the commitment hard.

Sorry my comment was a general one and not aimed at you or any other individuals.

Jackieboy wrote: »

I know some chuches that have Sunday School duing the main Sunday service but you couldn't offer this for all serices, surely?

I think it important for a family to worship together wherever possible and for children to learn how to behave in church when young or when are they ever going to learn this?

Yes Sunday school is during virtually every service, with the exception of an occasion all age service such as the nativity service. When else would Sunday school be?

tea_lover

We have a sort of sunday school (it's not called that but it's the same thing) for maybe 30-40% of main sunday services. For the rest of the time any children are in with the rest of us.

Newly_retired

I wouldn't say my church is not thriving. Each Sunday we have about 25 at early Communion, 50-70 at the main service, and 12-14 at night, with some overlap, of course.
At Christmas and Remembrance it is standing room only. It is just the age profile of those who are regulars and do all the jobs needed that gives us cause for concern. Many of the nearby village churches are struggling much more.

System

I'm not religious but was involved with the church to a degree when younger. My grandad was the treasurer, and my nan did all the flower arranging. They went to church every sunday, i only really used to go when Brownies/Guides were on "Parade" (i once got to carry the flag and nearly took out the vicar :rotfl: ), the holiday club and at Christingle at Christmas. In fairness it was a lovely church but since my grandparents died (and subsequently had their funerals there) its not somewhere i;ve been back to.

Jackieboy

Torry_Quine wrote: »

Sorry my comment was a general one and not aimed at you or any other individuals.
Yes Sunday school is during virtually every service, with the exception of an occasion all age service such as the nativity service. When else would Sunday school be?

I've only come across Sunday School during the main Communion service, not for the early service or Evensong where I doubt there'd be the demand.

Is there a reason your church doesn't like children to worship with their families?

Torry_Quine

Jackieboy wrote: »

I've only come across Sunday School during the main Communion service, not for the early service or Evensong where I doubt there'd be the demand.

Is there a reason your church doesn't like children to worship with their families?

I think that things in the CofE must be different to my experiences. The services you mention are as strange to me as teaching children on their own is to you. The children are there for the first part of the service but it seems strange to me to have them sitting through a sermon lasting about 40 minutes. When do they have Sunday school if not during the service?