Toronto Bishops Invite You Back to Church

Bishops of the Anglican Diocese of Toronto appeared in front of Union Station in downtown Toronto to hand out invitations back to the church. The invitations were part of a worldwide Anglican initiative to invite people to return to their churches or other faith communities. Bishops Johnson, Poole, Yu, and Nichols were joined by clergy and lay volunteers to greet commuters with a simple "Good morning" and a note inviting them to come back to church on September 27th. The event was covered by several news outlets including CBC, CP24, CityTV, The Toronto Star, The Globe and Mail, and The National Post.

Category:

Nonprofits & Activism

Tags:

• toronto
• anglican
• bishop
• back to church
• colin
• johnson
• linda nichols
• philip
• poole
• patrick
• yu
• tay
• moss
• evangelism

[Bettiem44]

Well intentioned, but . . well, those of my friends who are not now churchgoers wouldn't go to church because a scary, robed bishop gave them a leaflet.

To get people into church, make the church be something they simply want to go to. For example, the Jazz Vespers at Christ Church Deer Park is well attended. Why? Because it's a service that doesn't have any weird rituals. People would go anyway even if it wasn't a church. When there, they happen to meet each other and the Holy Spirit.

[taymossninjapriest]

It seems that no one strategy is going to work... we need a variety of approaches. The "Back to Church" initiative is clearly designed for people who have been churchgoers at some point, and just need an invitation to come back. Services like the Jazz vespers are going after a different crowd. We need both! There are also people that don't find God in church at all, but have spiritual needs as well. those are the folks who often benefit from chaplaincy, for example.

[Bettiem44]

Thank you, Tay. Wise words. Incidentally I found your "Sexy God" video. That was good. Glad you said it and shared it. Maybe it should be "broadcast" on YouTube (maybe it is).

I could talk a torrent on that subject myself but am a tad nervous of being labelled a loony and thereby lose credibility. For example, in a Catholic church I was struck by the "sexy" symbolism of the male priesthood issuing the white host wafers to the passive open mouths of the obedient kneeling congregation.

[taymossninjapriest]

Yes, it's an under-preached topic. The conversations that do happen about it tend to happen among religious "professionals" or among tight-knit adult bible studies. Mark Driscoll at Mars Hills church in Seattle tends to preach about sex, but this is rare. And Driscoll has some VERY conservative ideas about the role of women and sexual ethics. There was also a very important sermon called "no more sheets" preached by Juanita Bynum that is really honest about the issues.

[taymossninjapriest]

I agree!

[acerb45666555]

one name.......Serapis Christus.

[Poolos00]

Great concept. Keep this tradition happening.

[Leilani122422]

Our Bishops Rock! Love the full Regalia -so unique and so regal. Go back to church people, we all need spiritrual life as well. God Bless our Bishops! God bless everyone!