Under attack?

I used to think people were weird when they talked of being under ‘spiritual attack’. It was not something that I could even begin to understand before I was a Rector’s wife. I expect I would have explained some events as coincidences or just my heightened imagination but now I begin to wonder.

We have had phases in the years that we have been here, when we have felt under attack personally. Or the atmosphere in a parish or parishes goes sour. And it seems to come at us in waves, exhausting the Rector@6. I have never experienced anything quite like it but it makes me think of all the old stories that you would hear in rural communities about runs of bad luck ( of course we don’t do luck in churches). ..you know the things that sent the milk sour, or that caused the harvest to fail. Even writing this, I’m thinking ‘don’t be so daft!’ But I have discussed it with Rector@6 and he feels them same. Are there such things as forces of evil? Would something want to stop the church thriving?

Of course it’s all coincidence, it’s all in our minds...or is it?

The Church of England Preservation Society?

I have kept quiet for too long! I am now a more experienced rural rector’s wife and I am learning to be ‘me’ now that we are settled. I am also learning that rural churches of England are incredibly difficult places to maintain...and my Rector has six! I am not just talking about the buildings - six beautiful historic buildings that need faculties in order to make any changes, maybe the approval from the Victorian society, historic churches, the Archdeacon, the farmer next door and anyone and his dog it seems! Is the Church of England a preservation society for historic buildings or a group of people who believe that Christ can make a difference in people’s lives? I also refer to maintaining and bringing the good news to a faithful group of people, maintaining their enthusiasm, interest and love as increasing demands are put upon them.

I read today that only 2% of young people identify as Church of England. I am not surprised. What are we able to offer them in our rural villages? Church leaders are faced with juggling the demands of the small, stalwart elderly congregation who faithfully give to the church collection each week and the lack of interest from the few young families who have managed to find housing in the villages. The regular share payments cripple the mission of rural churches. The upkeep of ancient buildings cripples the mission of the rural church. The constant need to spend time applying for grants, seeking  permissions and meetings - bureaucracy gone mad - cripples the mission of the rural church. The threats...yes threats, from church members that are issued if things are not done the way they want - cripples the mission of the rural church. The competition from community churches in nearby towns, that don’t have the buildings to maintain and do have  a greater surrounding population density, cripples the mission of the rural church. The lack of understanding by the hierarchy that one person cannot serve multiple parishes, without regular time off  to refresh, cripples the mission of the rural church. And so it goes on...and on! And yet my OH feels called to faithfully serve the rural communities. I ask...at what cost?