It is interesting to read a short item on the Methodist Ecumenical News blog about Christian Community Projects in a time of cuts. Like many Christians I am a little wary of taking money from public finances because it normally comes with strings, some of which may not be helpful.
It is helpful though to know that there is a recognition of problems ahead.
Many churches, not just Methodists, have built up a portfolio of publicly funded projects on their premises. When this is over and above the work of the church there is no problem if the funding is cut, except of course for the recipients of the project.
But there are many churches who will face a real problem in coming years, if not months.
I hear too many stories of churches which are effectively funded by the public. I won't go into details but I am aware that they are dependent for running costs on external funding. Sometimes this may be a little wider than the public purse, with lettings to several outside businesses and organisations all of which bring cash but may even cause reputational and spiritual problems. One Methodist Church in West London boasts on its website that it hosts yoga classes!
The problem with external funding - over and above the reputation and spiritual issues - is that a congregation can become too dependent on the income. Basically in order to be viable every church and its members needs to understand that there is no cache of money or income stream which will ensure its long term survival.
Project funding and rental income give members the wrong idea. They assume that the church will always be there. They have no care to ensure that core funding comes out of the collection plate, for which they themselves are responsible.
The result is that when the funding stops the reality is all too obvious for all to see. Complacent financial management and miserly giving combine to demonstrate the real bankruptcy of the church.
If the collection plate can't sustain a church's core costs then that church is not sustainable. It is time every circuit in the land understood that. In future weeks we will see chickens come home to roost. The bonanza of the last decade is over. Expect to see an acceleration in church closures.
It is helpful though to know that there is a recognition of problems ahead.
Many churches, not just Methodists, have built up a portfolio of publicly funded projects on their premises. When this is over and above the work of the church there is no problem if the funding is cut, except of course for the recipients of the project.
But there are many churches who will face a real problem in coming years, if not months.
I hear too many stories of churches which are effectively funded by the public. I won't go into details but I am aware that they are dependent for running costs on external funding. Sometimes this may be a little wider than the public purse, with lettings to several outside businesses and organisations all of which bring cash but may even cause reputational and spiritual problems. One Methodist Church in West London boasts on its website that it hosts yoga classes!
The problem with external funding - over and above the reputation and spiritual issues - is that a congregation can become too dependent on the income. Basically in order to be viable every church and its members needs to understand that there is no cache of money or income stream which will ensure its long term survival.
Project funding and rental income give members the wrong idea. They assume that the church will always be there. They have no care to ensure that core funding comes out of the collection plate, for which they themselves are responsible.
The result is that when the funding stops the reality is all too obvious for all to see. Complacent financial management and miserly giving combine to demonstrate the real bankruptcy of the church.
If the collection plate can't sustain a church's core costs then that church is not sustainable. It is time every circuit in the land understood that. In future weeks we will see chickens come home to roost. The bonanza of the last decade is over. Expect to see an acceleration in church closures.
