The Malvern View
It may well of past many of the readers of this letter by but at the General Synod Meeting (governing body of the Church of England) last month which was held in London. The following question was asked “Are our church buildings a burden or an opportunity?”
The figures make quite stark reading on the one hand but on the other the opportunities that they afford are well beyond our present comprehension. So please stay with me and read a few of these numbers. The Church of England has responsibility for 16,200 churches in 13,000 parishes in all corners of England. Out of these 12,200 of them are listed buildings including St. Luke’s.
According to the latest figures £110 million is currently being spent on repairs on churches and cathedrals. English Heritage and in particular the Heritage Lottery Fund (of which St. Luke’s has been a benefactor) along with a few independent trusts, provides around 35% of this. This leaves the churches having to fund around £71 million for essential repairs this does not include redevelopment and improvements. It also does not include money for the running costs of churches and the ministry they provide. I could go on but I think I have painted a big enough picture.
The Cathedrals & Churches of this country receive no direct government funding even though the church is responsible for some of this countries most historic buildings.
So “are our church buildings a burden or a mission opportunity?”
Without very much imagination we could look at the Church of England having 16,200 shop fronts I think even Mr Tesco might be a bit envious of that! At least one building in every community in England. What can we do to make them more inviting? What would you like to see taking place that does not happen at the present time, not just on a Sunday and not just for the worshipping community but the whole of the community. St. Luke’s does not have a church hall so in many ways our building is a lot better used and more accessible than many churches that we might know of. We can still do more and we still have to do more.
Many of you know about the efforts that have gone into raising the funds so far for a new roof for St. Luke’s, this is a long road but it is only the beginning. The roof is about securing the future of the building many of those involved only see this as the first stage there is much more work to do in years to come, but that is not particularly for action now rather to be thought and prayed about.
This year is as we all know election year and if you see a politician of whatever party ask them about the “Grant Scheme for Listed Places of Worship” this scheme run by the treasury has enabled St. Luke’s to claim back all the VAT on the repair works we have had done. At present the scheme comes to an end in March 2011, without this aid it is difficult to see how we would of got the money together to complete the work we have already done! We can look on the Church Building of St. Luke’s as a burden or an opportunity, it really does depend on how each one of us views it.
In our weaknesses are God’s opportunities! (from 2 Corinthians 12 verse 10)
Every Blessing
Chris
