October Letter
September 25, 2007 by Dan
I have come across the transcript of a (slightly) fictional PCC discussion. The debate centred on whether to put a coffee facility, a serving counter with a few tables and chairs in the back corner of a certain church. This is a church in the centre of a city which receives lots of visitors through the day, some of whom are in need of a listening ear, a cup of tea, some friendship and what is called these days a ‘signposting service’ to point them in the direction of appropriate help.
Obviously in this (slightly) imaginary PCC meeting everyone wanted to look at the plans of this coffee corner, to see some drawings, examine the costs. We (I mean, they) wanted to know which pews would have to be moved, what would be the aesthetic effect on a grade I* listed building and how the heritage people would feel.
“Somebody asked, “What about the sort of person this facility would attract? Don’t we have enough problems already with addicts, rough sleepers, disturbed individuals?”
“They’re not problems,” others countered, “They are opportunities for Christ’s love to be shown in action. Jesus said that in so far as we care for such of the least of these brothers of his, we care for him.”
“That’s all very well,” said someone else, “but this is a place where people come to pray, to find quiet in the midst of life, to be uplifted and refreshed in spirit.”
“Maybe,” came the answer, “but we can’t ask God to help people if we won’t help them ourselves. And isn’t God seen as clearly in the service of the poor as in the beauty of our building?”
So continues the transcript of this debate, passionate but amicable, all arising from a genuine desire to serve God and use the building for his glory. Wisely the PCC decided to consult more widely with the congregation and the diocese, to see where the weight of opinion lies and to try and glorify God both in our heritage and our compassion.