Letter to the editor : Where's the passion in our clergy and congregations ?
https://archives.anglican.ca/link/article44283
- Author
- Wright, Graham
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican Journal
- Date
- 2023 March
- Author
- Wright, Graham
- Material Type
- Journal Article
- Journal
- Anglican Journal
- Date
- 2023 March
- Volume
- 149
- Issue
- 3
- Page
- 5
- Notes
- "I would like to comment on Canon Neil Elliot’s statement that it is important not to blame the shrinking of the church on its clergy and parishioners ('Data show membership falling 10 per cent each year during 2020 and 2021: church statistician,' January, p. 1)". The 87-year old writer says: "In my humble opinion it all comes down to the clergy and the congregation. Is the congregation a truly welcoming congregation or is it just lip service ?" "My main criticism of clergy is when sermons become academic. Preachers should make the message relevant to the people in the congregation and their everyday lives". "The congregation has a role to play as well. I cannot count the times I have gone into a church with a big overhead banner proclaiming 'God is love' and being left in the corner with a cold coffee". "There is a wonderful message in Jesus Christ. But it has to be told with passion and true belief. As is sometimes attributed to Ludwig van Beethoven, more than 200 years ago: 'To play a wrong note is insignificant; to play without passion is inexcusable'.”
- Subjects
- Elliot, Neil (Neil Robert Minto), 1963-
- Anglican Church of Canada - Statistics
- Church attendance - Anglican Church of Canada
- Church membership - Anglican Church of Canada - Statistics
- Hospitality - Religious aspects - Anglican Church of Canada
- Anglican Church of Canada - Clergy
- Preaching - Anglican Church of Canada
- Congregational development - Anglican Church of Canada
- Evangelism - Anglican Church of Canada - 21st century
- Location
- General Synod Archives