Recently I was listening to a podcast where someone asked the question “is the UK economy in recession?” To begin answering the question, the panellists first needed to establish how to define recession. Their working definition of recession was when the output was less than what was being put in, and of course in economic terms this needs to be over a set period of time.

As I carried on with my dog walk, with the discussion continuing it occurred to me that perhaps we ought to be saying that the Church is in recession. It seems to me that it isn’t too much of a stretch to say that many churches around the UK are putting in more than they are currently getting out. Now of course this very much depends on what you are measuring for both input and output. As churches we are not striving to increase the amount of money that we hold in reserve, our sole purpose is not to just see more and more people attending Sunday morning worship (though this might be one marker of success), we aren’t driven by the consumerist success markers of growth. We are much more interested in the growth of our own personal faith, and the relationship that our community has with God.

So why might it be helpful to declare that the church is in recession? I’m no economist or social commentator, but when economies are identified as being in recession, a package of stimulation is put together to try and reverse the decline in output. Often the stimuli which are introduced offer a slightly radical and different way of thinking. I wonder if by identifying the situation that we find ourselves in, we might find it easier to identify a package of stimuli which will encourage us to engage with God and the community around us in a different way.

I’m grateful for the many comments and conversations that I have had with people in relation to the mission plan that we have put together over the last couple of months. As a church I feel that we’ve approached it with a sense of excitement, openness, and willingness to do things differently. We are part way there. But I’m particularly grateful for the people who have been bold enough to ask if we are doing enough and being radical enough. The fact that we have people amongst us who have the courage to ask these questions is a great encouragement to me.

From the Old Testament Prophets, to Jesus’ ministry, to the New Testament Christians we have countless examples of how God used tried and tested, and new and radical ways to communicate with the world.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” Isaiah 43:18-19

This passage from Isaiah tells us that there are new and radical things which mean we shouldn’t look to the past, but it also offers the comfort of things we know to be good and helpful. Paths in the wilderness might not be common, and rivers in the desert unheard of, but in other contexts paths and rivers would be well known.

I wonder, therefore, if you feel that what we are putting into church is more that what we are getting out; are we in a recession? What are the stimuli that would help you and the church create a bigger output than input? What will be the paths and rivers of the wilderness and desert that we perhaps find ourselves in?

As we embark on the next stage of our journey together, know that God is with us; that we are guided by the Spirit and take comfort that we know and share God’s love.

Rev. John