Writing in the latest issue of Congregational Builder, Charles Fulton, head of condev at the national Church center, had a great practical suggestion for enlarging our congregations.
He writes: "In 2001 the Average Sunday Attendance for the Episcopal Church was 853,000. That amounts to one third of one percent of the population of the United States. There is tremendous opportunity for the Episcopal Church beyond one third of one percent. It is estimated that only twenty percent of the general population has any weekly contact with a faith community. Each of us knows, works with, socializes with and lives next door to people who hunger spiritually and have not heard us speak of our faith and the difference it makes in our lives."
Charles suggests that we do the obvious: invite those folks to church! He goes on to say:
". ...Of course, the congregations would have to be open to receiving the people invited, a claim easier to make than to honor and deliver because new people will challenge congregational norms."
4% annual growth is all it takes for us to meet the 20/20 goal of doubling the size of the Episcopal Church by the year 2020.
Posted by mbarlowe at August 4, 2003 04:02 PMHopefully we believe we have a faith that is worth sharing. What I mean, is that there are people who are spiritually hungry who would welcome our story. First, there must be a willingness to share our faith. Secondly, I suspect many wouldn't feel comfortable or know how to share his/her faith even if there were a willingness to do so. Let's face it, for all the obvious reasons it is something that seems unnatural for many to do. Let's explore opportunities to learn how to share our faith.
Posted by: Rick at August 6, 2003 09:12 PM