Where is our Church now?
The community in which I serve does not ‘fit’ neatly with readily accepted standards for
viability and ‘success’. St. Mark’s is a “family” church, with attendance on any given Sunday somewhere between 40+ to 80 or so. The parish consists of 3 buildings: a Church, a Hall and a Rectory – all within a half-acre lot in the north end of Saskatoon.
Worship space is small – 95 bodies in the pews would be a full house. The small white frame building looks like a ‘country church’ in the city. But make no mistake. These
old and inadequate buildings are NOT the church. The people are! And what a remarkable group of folks they are. Predominantly ‘gray’, like so many other Anglican
congregations. But there are 7 or 8 young families and a growing group of babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers. A Kids Corner has been carved out in the worship space to
enable the little ones to be themselves in our midst. Worship is characterized by informality and reverence, innovation and variety. Music is led by piano, keyboard,
& flute. St. Mark’s folks tend to be joyful, thoughtful, open and accepting of all who come through our doors. Mission includes PWRDF, local initiatives, and involves
both budgeted funds as well as special givings for particular projects. One visitor
described St. Mark’s as “the little church that could”.
The community is currently wrestling with what its future will look like. Our old buildings no longer meet needs adequately. Changes are inevitable and this both excites and frightens us. The ‘shadow’ that we live with as a community is complacency. We like who we are and how we do things. Yet we respond well to challenge and change.
Finances have thus far been solid and stable. Strong prayer ministry undergirds our
common life. The next ten years will see St. Mark’s celebrate a centenary and most likely
undergo significant changes.
My Vision of the Church in 2019
I dream of a Church that will have arrived at a place of peace within its own ‘skin’ – always testing itself against the teachings of Jesus Christ, but confident
and committed in its Mission to respond to the needs of the world in loving service.
I dream of a Church that finds its identity best lived out at the local level – in the places where people gather and where their needs & hopes intersect.
I dream of a Church that is characterized more by mutuality than by hierarchy;
where tradition is honored for its beauty and timelessness ; where innovation is
celebrated and welcomed as the winds of God move in this time and place.
I dream of a Church where all people, regardless of gender, age, race,
sexual orientation, or theological persuasion, may engage freely and fully in
the life and witness to which God calls us.
I dream of a Church that will have divested itself of many buildings, and discovered creative new ways to ‘be’ Church in both urban & rural settings.
I dream of a Church where leadership Teams may enable a fuller sharing of gifts – both lay and ordained, and more effectively serve the needs of local areas & specific communities.
I dream of a Church where joy and commitment to a shared vision will so
permeate our life, that the fear, mistrust and ‘protectionism’ that plague us now, will be dissolved in a new spirit of radical cooperation, respect and mission.
I dream that God will raise up prophetic voices amongst us, to call us forward
to the hard and holy work of living, serving and witnessing TOGETHER as
the Body of Christ in Canada during these early years of the 21st century.
I dream…………….
