Social Services Professionalised
The Anglican Care Network do a fantastic job in New Zealand. The Anglican Church is one of the largest social service providers in New Zealand. One of the disadvantages with being so well organised and professionalised is that there is very little link in peoples mind between Anglican Family Care (for example) and the local parish. Our love, care, and service in the community is something that should stem from our faith. In fact, our faith insists upon it. I wonder if people would start to see the relevance of church for New Zealand society if some of these services were seen as an extension of parish life. I also wonder if it would change the way it felt to be part of an Anglican Church; if the foyer where we have our cup of tea was the same place that was used the rest of the week for budget advice, food parcel distribution, and meals on wheels and a myriad of other social services. I believe this would appeal to a number of people my generation (generally noticeably absent from our churches) who are often found huddled in little clumps drnking coffee and muttering about missional church.
Any thoughts?
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