If I'm not mistaken, it also serves as host to the "Auckland Community Church", aka, the home of the Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Community, no? It's a "whatever floats your boat" type church.
I've never been convinced that they're actually "Christianizing" anybody. They definitely bring certain people through the doors who would not otherwise come to Church but so do Joel Osteen and Benny Hinn. I think the bar needs to be raised a little higher than simply putting butts on pews, though.
Years ago ('60s, '70s), St. Matthew-in-the-City was a mainstream Anglican Church. Traditional, sober and unremarkable. Then numbers started to dwindle and attendance fell off. It was at this time that they started to experiment and push the envelope to bring in the punters, so to speak.
They may have succeeded but at what price?
> If I’m not mistaken, it also serves as host to the “Auckland Community Church”, aka, the home of the Gay, Lesbian and Transgendered Community, no?
It certainly provides facilities for that group, yes — there is a sign out front that says so.
> I’ve never been convinced that they’re actually “Christianizing” anybody.
On what basis do you say that? Do you know that congregation first-hand? (I don’t yet, so I am curious).
In any event, fortunately we aren’t the ones who want convincing. Our Lord gets to decide whether they have been Christianized or not. And we are told that we will be surprised at who Christ recognizes as His Own when He returns. On that basis I think it wise to keep an open mind, and to work out our own salvation, with trembling and fear, never minding what the other bloke is doing or not doing.
> I think the bar needs to be raised a little higher than simply putting butts on pews, though.
I think that’s a judgment best left to Our Lord, isn’t it? Else do we not stand the risk identified in the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, Luke 18:9-14?
The Pharisee had set the bar up pretty high for himself, whereas the Publican merely wanted forgiveness. We know which one Christ was pleased with.
> They may have succeeded but at what price?
Salvation will be the price. Either one way or the other.