“Let us seek to fill this place with rescued souls, not transferred members.”
–Bishop Mark Lawrence in his sermon today at the consecration of the new worship facility at Christ Saint Paul’s, Yonges Island
“Let us seek to fill this place with rescued souls, not transferred members.”
–Bishop Mark Lawrence in his sermon today at the consecration of the new worship facility at Christ Saint Paul’s, Yonges Island
It appears to me that Bishop Lawrence may very well accomplish this goal. His diocese has certainly demostrated growth in numbers and dollars. The years of 2002 through 2007 have not been “kind” to TEC, but the Diocese of South Carolina has grown in Membership by about 16 percent. Only 5 dioceses in TEC had any growth at all and Tennessee was (not even a close) second with about 3 percent. And
for Plate & Pledge for 2002 through 2007, South Carolina grew about 29 percent, well above inflation of about 16 percent. (Tennessee did a bit better with about a 33 percent increase). I can’t pass up the irony noted in that South Carolina was required by TEC to elect Bishop Lawrence TWICE. Statmann
[i] Comment edited by elf. [/i]
the great thing about +Lawrence’s line is that he actually believes it and practices it – grew his parish in Penn. while the local population was dwindling, no doubt with many a rescued soul. I’ll refrain from a pithy shot at 815 re: the difficulty in getting the consents….
Cream ought to rise to the top, but the TEO tried their darndest to prevent it in the case of Bp Lawrence.
I would add to our good Statmann’s analysis that there was a slight drop in the ASA in 2007 which one could attribute solely to going from a Christmas effect year to a non-Christmas effect year except that it is a drop if you compare it to 2004 as well which was a non-CE year as well.
The growth in South Carolina can’t continue. When the TEO goes off the deep end at GC 09, South Carolina won’t take it well.