Posted on 09/16/2004 12:18:16 PM PDT by xzins
C4 begins search to find Church Idol
A church will have the chance to reverse its flagging fortunes with the help of a new TV show – Priest Idol.
The church selected for the Channel 4 programme has a congregation of only nine, mainly ageing, regular worshippers.
The show, to be broadcast at the end of next year, will hunt for a new vicar who can attract more people into the empty pews at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Lundwood in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.
Backed by a small panel of advisers, the chosen vicar will receive a sum of cash to spend on whatever he or she thinks could turn things around.
Cameras will follow the fortunes of the church over 12 months as the new incumbent tries to make a difference.
A selection process will attempt to find the right candidate, who is likely to be younger than the average vicar, according to Channel 4.
A spokesman said the programme is being made with the full co-operation of the local diocese.
“They are very keen to turn the situation around. This is really their last chance.”
He added: “The church is in danger of closing unless something is done The Bishop of Wakefield thinks it is a great idea.”
The Bishop, the Rt Rev Stephen Platten, said: “The programme-makers came to us. We feel that this is a gift we are being offered.
“If we can get the right priest, if we are able to make progress in this, then others in the same situation will be encouraged.
“We are looking for someone with energy who is prepared to work in a place where there is a clear need for regeneration.”
While the diocese sifts the responses to its job advert in the Church Times, St Mary’s is being looked after by a vicar from a neighbouring parish.
A spokesman for the Church of England said he was not too keen on the proposed title for the show.
“We obviously need to see how the programme pans out, but for the moment we would like to see a better title.
“Priest Idol is too reminiscent of Pop Idol, and that wouldn’t be a suitable format,” he added.
"to spend on whatever he or she thinks could turn things around"
He or she?
First mistake.
I can give them a hint: Preach Jesus, and draw people to Him.
Church Idol?!?
Isn't that an oxymoron?
.........................another church bell that will never 'ring'..................
jumboshrimp....opposites.
churchidol....yep, yer right...should be opposites.
One would sponsor AA meetings and raffles; the other Bible studies and choir practice.
Wonder which one would "win?"
But "great preaching" beats "great program" any day of the week.
Unfortunately this is not the norm. Especially if the preaching goes longer than half an hour.
Great preaching is so good that I lose track of time.
A great preacher could go on for an hour and most wouldn't notice.
Great preaching, incidentally, is not great because it is theologically sound. It is great because it is BOTH theologically sound and spiritually engaging and exciting.
That is a big no-no to them, this is the UK! ;-) You will get a bigger stare when you mention the name of Spurgeon to a Briton than ever in the US.
Whether the sermon is theologically sound and spiritually engaging, I have serious doubts your "average" church goer would care. Heaven forbid if they should hear a sermon on Hell, taking up your cross daily or anything that remotely sounds negative. Even if it is theologically sound it's not spiritually engaging. They don't want to hear it. And we won't EVEN discuss application of the spiritually engaging sermon of which I could refer you back to the RM post of far more theologically-minded Christians.
The average church goer is far more interested in singing upbeat music and listening to announcements of the latest food drive for the poor all the while making sure they can get to the 1:00 tee time. I don't wish to sound pessimistic or judgmental but provide a realistic portrait of the church today.
Christianity, for the most part, has become a PART of a person's life rather than their WHOLE life.
Theologically sound can also be spiritually engaging....that't the hallmark of great preaching.
I also don't think there's anything mutually exclusive between theological soundness and good music & food drives for the poor. One can have both. (In fact, food drives are definitely theologically sound, and good music can be theologically sound.)
I guess I have trouble with defining what "spiritually engaging" means. While I've attended a number of churches where I've gotten little out of the sermons, it's usually because the theology is so muddle that it makes no sense. I would say that if the sermon is theological sound it will be spiritually engaging.
Look at it like a teacher or college professor, harley. All of them had a great deal of information. Some simply weren't able to communicate it in an attention-capturing manner.
Sounds like Moses' concerns about taking God's message to Pharoah. Perhaps Aaron was the beginning of the seeker-friendly church.
Sounds like both of us are in favor of theological soundness. My original point is that I'd choose great preaching over great program.
I heard that Charles Spurgeon was actually a captivating speaker. Maybe he wasn't.
Our church is starting down the "purpose driven" path in a couple of weeks. I really dread it. As far as which one would win... it depends on how you decide the winner. If you're talking about sheer numbers... I'm afraid the purpose driven thing will win. If you're talking about lives really changed.... then that's another thing.
PING... interesting thread that you should read.
I agree with this. Great preaching has to be theologically sound... but it also has to be interesting. Just like any other forum.... the speaker has to have command of the audience and be someone that the audience wants to listen to. If you take out that factor then you're left reading theological commentary, which is great for learning... but I wouldn't call it great preaching.
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