Comments on: Anglican Diocese team recommends closing several churches around Victoria, Vancouver Island in “transformation”

By: Geoff

Geoff — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 02:23:14 +0000

Nowhere in the public discussion is there a recognition that the church can only be relevant and encourage faithfulness ["membership'] if it preaches the truth based on scripture and sound doctrine, and offers joyful, spirit-filled worship. There is an Anglican church in Victoria that does that and it is growing. It needs more space! It is an ANiC church!!

By: stuck in Toronto

stuck in Toronto — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 17:40:28 +0000

Hey Obit, hows it goin! I join your #4 with this comment – when the hub ceases to be The Lord Jesus it dries quickly. the wheel heats and burns. This can be replaced by rolling stones but then you know what they gather. At least that’s my take here in the big smoke.

By: obituary

obituary — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 12:24:54 +0000

I always thought a “hub church” is what a cathedral is supposed to be.
Here it seems to be the final redoubt before the banks shut them down.

By: David

David — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 21:07:48 +0000

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

By: Kate

Kate — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 17:18:14 +0000

Remind me why the Diocese is fighting so hard to keep a church that they are going to close?

By: Sam

Sam — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 02:14:45 +0000

Why am I not surprised that Brentwood Chapel is on the list to close? They have an evangelical congregation with the highest tithing per person in the diocese and are sitting on waterfront property worth a bomb. And Comox may not be slated to close this year, but combining for a regional hub church in the future will put a crimp in the style of those evangelicals. St Mary’s Metchosin to be closed…but the buildings most definitely to be kept for diocesan functions….hmmm… I see some possible cost cutting measures there. And St Matthias is to be kept open to provide an evangelical influence in the CRD? The evangelicals left.

And look in the report at the first recommendation for evangelism: “Use burial services to draw families in: provide support comfort and make these people part of the community” p. 36.
Shows you where the diocese is at doesn’t it? Aging population, more funerals than baptisms, and the best opportunity to see new people darkening the door of the local parish is to mourn the passing of a loved one…and the diocese thinks this is the number one opportunity to “make” them members of the “community.” Sorry, but evangelism is not making a funeral an opportunity to grab another number to make your quota to keep your parish running. I don’t deny that a funeral is a good place to speak God’s Word because presumably that is what the deceased believed if they were members of the congregation, but to have it top the list of ideas???