Ever since I learned to type back in high school, I have found myself making the same typos over and over. For example, instead of typing "brother" I type "bother."
And I can't count the number of times that I've wanted to type "United Church" and "Untied Church" has come out on the page or the screen.
Are these just slips of the finger tips? Or is there more to them than that? Some typos are accidental and innocuous -- but is it really an accident that someone who grew up in a big family would exchange "bother" for "brother"?
There are days when I think that "Untied Church" describes far better the religious organization (or disorganization) that I've been involved with my whole life and that has paid my salary for the last 26 years than "United Church." (Actually, quite frequently I've typed "Untied Chruch" -- not sure what that's all about.)
Because while a lot of people have some connection to the church, say nice things about the church, even turn to the church now and again, they aren't really tied to the church the way they used to be. They consider themselves connected to the church -- but it's really an "Untied Church" that they belong to.
I think both sides of this phenomenon are significant and I want to explore what it's all about. It's certainly significant that people aren't tied to the church in the way they used to be. But I don't think it's insignificant that they continue to think of themselves as belonging to the church -- even if the relationship is somewhat tenuous and -- well -- untied.
I've spent this past year delving into the thoughts and attitudes of about 200 people who belong to the United Church of Canada, but who don't attend all the time, who attend less than they used to or who don't attend ever, and yet still think the church has some place in their lives.
This blog is going to be one of the ways I unpack some of the things I think I've learned. I hope some people will throw their two cents worth in, and we can begin to have a conversation.
About Me
- getreconnected
- I get paid to be a preacher and pastor, but I'm really interested in the fascinating places God, faith and religion show up in people's lives. I live in the beautiful village of Fenwick in the Niagara Region of Ontario and my church is in St. Catharines. Currently, I live with my wife, Rev. Diane Walker, just we two, because all of our four little birdies have flown the nest. Two will be getting married in 2012. And we are the ridiculously doting grandparents of two.
Grandpa and Levi
2 comments:
Hi Rev. Miller,
You state that the return on your surveys was one fifth of what you sent out. What does this tell you? Only 200 people are interested in their faith. You could have received that many responses from your own Church. What did your survey tell you? Sure people turn to their Church in time of need (any need) but why don't they come back. What makes them want to have the child baptized or take communion classes and then not care if they never return? How do you get those 'needy' people to take part in their Church of Choice in time of Need? Did your survey indicate what Churches can do to be more appealing, because we have to be, than a soccer practice or an opportunity to sleep late? Why isn't faith important?
See my posting from September 11.
Actually, 20% is a pretty good response rate. Most of the people who got the survey didn't know me from a hole in the ground, and you know how it is with stuff that comes in the mail. The way I look at it is that I've got more information about more people in this category than just about anybody I know.
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