Now the church is displaying evangelising glints that are, for many, alarming. A briefing paper on \u201cVision and Strategy\u201d, delivered in July at its general synod, called for a church that is \u201cyounger and more diverse\u201d\u2014and much bigger. It aims to develop 3,000 \u201cworshipping hubs\u201d for children and young people, and has linked with a movement called \u201cMyriad\u201d (the word is Greek for 10,000), which aims to create 10,000 new churches and a million new worshippers in Britain within a decade.<\/p>\n
Myriad does not mean \u201cchurches\u201d in the spinsters-and-stained-glass sense. It is not promising 10,000 more pulpits or transepts or tea urns or vicars. It is not promising buildings at all. Myriad groups might meet in churches and work with priests\u2014or they might meet independently, in houses or offices or parks. Followers talk freely about God. As a promotional video explains, this movement is \u201cnot just reserved for Bibles and a building\u201d. These churches will be \u201cpredominantly\u201d led by lay people\u2014a Myriad boss referred to buildings and theological training as \u201ckey limiting factors\u201d in church expansion.<\/p>\n
The response has been bitter. Both the church and Myriad later apologised for the \u201climiting factors\u201d comment, but the damage was done. The plans have been described as \u201cStalinist\u201d and a \u201cGreat Leap Forward\u201d. This, one vicar wrote, is a Christianity that is \u201crandy for converts\u201d. A Save the Parish group has been formed. Diarmaid MacCulloch, an emeritus professor of ecclesiastical history at Oxford University, sees in the scheme a certain \u201cadolescent self-confidence\u201d. Many are very angry. Mr MacCulloch says he is merely \u201cmildly cross in an Anglican sort of way\u201d. Which in Anglicanese means furious.<\/p>\n
Read it all<\/a>.<\/p>\n Go forth and multiply more \u2013 The Church of England needs new members. How to get them? https:\/\/t.co\/Ydo8wBdq6c<\/a><\/p>\n — Gus Logan (@SugnaNagol) September 10, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n \n