Dear Editor,
So, there’s been some chatter in this paper, and around town, about the need for churches in our community. Or, maybe I should say, the diminishing need for several churches in our shrinking community.
Well, let me take you all to task for this thought. Yeah, that’s right, the relatively new-to-town Baptist pastor is copping an attitude about this.
Here’s my thoughts: Flin Flon, Creighton and the surrounding communities need all the churches they can get. There aren’t enough of them, and I’d love to see more.
Why? Because churches are gatherings of God’s followers, ready to serve Him and, as part of serving Him, serving the community they are in. We make meals and collect clothing, we help people from cradle to grave, and we remind people that there is a God in a world that likes to forget about Him.
There are several different families under the umbrella of Christianity for one good reason: freedom. I will admit that some of the branches of our tree sprouted out for fairly silly reasons, but many of them began their journey because at the time there was no other choice but to assemble together for strength and protection.
Do you like loud singing, exuberant worship and intense preaching? There’s a church for that.
Do you like reading passages from the Bible, following hymns from the hymnal and wine for communion? There’s a church for that.
Do you like something in-between these extremes? There’s a few churches for that.
We have a multitude of choices that fit the personalities of anyone who wants to worship God, and having the choice is worth the investment each church is making in our community.
Everyone likes the freedom to choose what they want to wear, what they want to do for a living, what they want to learn – the more the better. So having several choices of where to worship God is surely a good thing.
Are we taking up too much room? I don’t think so. Show me the church that is occupying land that would otherwise be put to better use.
I haven’t heard anyone saying, “I’d build a shelter for the homeless there, but that stupid church is in the way”. By the way, we have an empty hotel in a city that has a homelessness problem. Hmm.
Are the buildings empty? Sometimes. There are three church buildings that are truly empty. Ours is one of them, and we’re working on getting it down and out of the way. I can’t speak for the other two, but I think at least one of them does get used from time to time.
As for the others, start counting up the multitude of groups that benefit from free, or low cost, use of their space. Al-Anon and other support groups, quilting groups, kids’ clubs, and many more. Watch the parking lot at Northminster Memorial United Church. Have you been to a funeral at St. Ann’s? Had soup at St. James? Are they taking up too much space? Didn’t think so.
Are we a drain on the resources of the city? Well, we do pay property tax on our lots, just like any other organization in town, for profit or not. That money, and the taxes our members and adherents pay, goes into city coffers to be spent on services.
Should we all become one church for the sake of efficiency? No.
Unless all the sports fans want to cheer on the same team, for the sake of efficiency. And all the people want to give up 2,000-plus-square-foot homes, and live in the space they actually need, for the sake of
efficiency.
And all the drivers give up their multitude of brands of vehicle so that we can have one make and model for the whole town, for the sake of
efficiency.
That’s what I have for now. I’m hoping I stirred the pot a bit. I’m sure there’s some gaping holes in my thoughts; I’ve let my emotions carry me through this letter more than my logic, but I stand behind my words.
I welcome feedback from any and everyone who cares to respond.
Blessings on you, my friends and neighbours.
