Camborne Parish Church

By the time you read this we should have had our Parish Day. The first attempt was cancelled due to a ‘minor’ issue of snow and ice. Not minor for many though, as many were stuck at home, not able to get out of their driveway or house. It’s a reminder that we are not in control with all our clever technologies and the weather can make a mockery of all our attempts to feel in control of our destiny.

Our Parish Day is not an attempt to control our destiny but a serious attempt as the Body of Christ at Camborne Parish Church to discover what God wants of us this year. If we assume that no Christian and no Church is a finished product, if we remember that we live in a country that generally speaking does not attend church regularly, then we cannot sit still or be content with talking about what we might do if only we had the resources.

My leadership style could be summarised in two brief sentences: a “go and get it” style and if you haven’t got the resources then “go and find them”. I do not and will not accept that the church (I mean Church of England) must die and close, nor will I accept that we must put up with not being able to have a serious impact in our community.

I am told by the Chamber of Commerce, Shopkeepers, Town Councillors and Police Officers that because of the alcohol reforms and Street Pastors the town of Camborne is a safer place.

So what will we have decided to do on our Parish Day? We will have asked people to go into one of four groups to talk about one of four themes – Buildings, Money, People and Natural Resources. You will have been asked to discuss various ideas and come up with your own and then share them all with everyone else. Open to all and hopefully open to the Holy Spirit.

Buildings: In Pre-Victorian times the church was used by all sorts of groups throughout the area. When repairs need paying for money came from both the worshippers and the community groups. The church was at the heart of the community because the community actually felt like the church building was theirs. Is it rocket science? In 2010 we should have a fully restored Clink and Vestry -what we going to use that for? We can use the church now as a Community Cinema, a Theatre – what else…?
Money: Other town churches in England have and are setting up “Friends Schemes” asking local people who don’t worship there to contribute to the church building. What level of giving amongst the congregation should we be encouraging? Kathryn and I, a few years ago, decided that whatever our (after tax) income we would always give 10%. So we give 5% to Camborne Church and 5% to other charities (national and international).
People: Do we want to continue the trap that churches have fallen into and simply look for people to fill roles OR do we make a serious effort to find out what people are naturally good at and find a way (maybe a way we never used before) of helping them to use that gift? Should we build a Gift-orientated Church rather than a Role-orientated Church?
Natural Resources: The C of E is the biggest single contributor of carbon emissions of any single organisation in the country! We are looking at solar panels on the Hall roof, LED lighting in church, etc. What else can we do to be better stewards both at church and at home?

Simply put, God tells us throughout the Old Testament (especially Deuteronomy) and throughout the teachings of Jesus that we will be blessed by God if we bless our community – ALL of it. The Bible also teaches us that if we don’t, then God won’t bless us. The Covenant is conditional. We need to remember that.

Yours in Christ,
Mike