church and society

Presenting message relevant to today

Published:

PEOPLE worship many things these days, but going to church is not high on the list, according to the latest Church of Scotland figures. The new moderator, who takes up his role next week, tried to get to grips with this old chestnut yesterday at a news conference ahead of the Kirk’s general assembly.

The Rev David Lunan seemed to acknowledge that the competition for new worshippers was tougher than ever. Historically, communities grew up around the church, which was the centre of their lives for guidance, protection and many day-to-day activities.

During the first half of the last century, there were critical periods of war and social upheaval when people turned to the Church when their very survival was in doubt.

Since then, the world has changed rather dramatically, but has the Church? People now worship material things and activities which give them an adrenalin rush. They are more likely to live their lives according to the morals and philosophy of barely-intelligible footballers and rock stars or third-rate celebrities.

Politicians are not much better, as they will spin anything to advance their personal and party glory.

As society disintegrates at the edges in terms of behaviour, respect and caring for others, the irony is that what the Church has to say is possibly more relevant now than at any other period in modern times.

Draughty old churches have something of an image problem, but perhaps the Church must try harder to present a message relevant to today in the places where its target market is worshipping other things.