At the moment I suspect this is a big question for many churches. We have a service on Sunday then for the rest of the week we have an empty building? Perhaps some churches rent out rooms and halls to other groups ( at no small cost.) but essentially the main church building is derelict for 6 days.
Well the Church of England, with the help of the government, have today published guidelines for churches to help them access funding to open their buildings for community use. It seems that even the secular world sees the potential of these historic buildings and the unique way they are run. It is a bit ironic that while Christians are desperately looking for ways to get out of the building to reach out to the community, It seems the community have had enough of waiting and have decided to come on in.
This has extra resonance at present as my church at holy Trinity Clapham, has been undergoing a long consultation process with the church congregation to see how the building might be used, in the light of a major building project. I am not sure of the outcome but I know that there has been a distinct shortage of ideas.
Check out Dave Walker's cartoon take on this and how the Telegraph and George pitcher consider bringing health surgeries and post offices into the church... It seems if the church doesn't have any ideas the local high street will. Then again I am always in need of a stamp on Sunday!
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