Praise, Indeed

‘Numbers at Shimley had slipped a bit by the time I left, I think people were just bored with me’, said Derek, the retired hospital chaplain who comes to say Mattins with us every now and again, recalling his days as a parish priest thirty years ago.

‘Perhaps that’s what’s happening here’, I suggested with a certain degree of ruefulness, calling attention to the gentle slide in attendance at Swanvale Halt over the last two years after five of gently rising support since I arrived. Derek clearly decided it was time to be supportive.

‘It seems to me that what you’re providing here as a church is a traditional model of doing things which is about thoughtful preaching, well-prepared liturgy, working with people pastorally, and faithful, dedicated prayer, and it’s good. It’s doing things properly, about consistency and faithfulness. It’s not exciting, it’s often dull, it’s hard work. But it’s what will keep the Church going when all the flummery has gone, and in the end it doesn’t matter how many people are there. That’s not what’s important.’

That was a summary of what he said, anyway. It’s all very well, and appreciated for its kindness. But in the end the bills have to be paid and you have to have at least sufficient people to provide that thoughtful preaching, well-prepared liturgy, and so on. All this is true, but can easily become an excuse for not challenging ourselves.