Monthly Message (October 2009) - The Value of Church Meetings

Dear Friends,

Well, on the evening of the 17th of September, a small group, just 10 people from our congregation, gathered ... and we asked ourselves, “How many Church Members does it take .... to be a real Church Meeting?” Although our constitution does not give us a minimum number of members required for the Church Meeting to be valid, we felt quite sure that in a Church of about one hundred and seventy members ...... ten was not enough. “How can just ten of us make decisions for the whole church?” we asked, with great concern. Numbers at the Church meeting have been steadily decreasing.

Those ten people present asked me to write reminding all members of our church that meeting together to discuss and make decisions ... is vitally important to the health of our church.

When I’m asked, “What is it that makes the United Reformed Church distinctive?” ... high on the list of answers is the Church Meeting. It’s the place where every person’s opinion, conscience, experience, and questions are valued. It is a precious thing.

The Church Meeting is rooted in the belief that all people have a contribution, insight or word of wisdom to bring to the whole church and in conversation we find the way forward. From our Reformed Christian tradition we gain the description of the church as the ‘priesthood of all believers’ meaning, not that each person has the singular role of speaking to and for God, (not many of us would feel equipped for that task!), but that together, thinking, speaking, listening and reflecting in mutual respect, we listen for the voice of God among us and try to make decisions that are faithful.

The URC does not believe in or have an authority structure where some are in charge while others wait to be told what might have been decided. Thinking and decisions about the direction and shape of church life and mission ... are made by the Church Meeting, where the members gather to talk. This is where ‘authority’ lies. While the ten people present at the September meeting were of exceptionally good quality .... it is quite obvious that such a small meeting cannot listen to the broad opinions and considerations of the Church. The conversation is much poorer and the few are frustrated, feeling unable to make decisions for the whole church.

With the building project underway you may feel there is no need for the conversations of Church Meeting until it is finished. This is not so .... now is the time for conversations over the ways in which we will take the opportunities these new buildings offer for making people welcome, providing interesting and engaging activities that serve and enrich the local neighbourhood .... for sharing our Christian life and being the Church in this place! And your thoughts and ideas matter.

We have tried holding some Church Meetings on a Sunday over lunch after the service and others on a Thursday evening hoping that the different times would give opportunities for more people to attend. Church Meetings are open to anyone but it is Members who, should the need arise, can vote. All Church members, in becoming members, agree to take a share of the life of the church .... a life that is shaped by the considerations of the Church Meeting.

There will be many times when attending a meeting is not possible .... but I share with you my great concern, along with the ten people at the September Church Meeting, ... and ask you to consider making time, sometimes, to take up your place at the Church Meeting. Your contribution is very important. The next Church Meeting will be on Sunday 29th November, after the morning service, with a light lunch and finishing by 2pm. I hope that you can take part ....

Yours,

Tracey.