Lest we ever worry over size, here is the following concerning from “the former denomination” for many of us from their own parochial reports:
–Over half of TEC congregations (52.4%) are small, family-sized congregations where average worship attendance is 70 persons orfewer (2009 Parochial Report data). Pastoral-sized congregations make up the next largest proportion of parishes and missions (28.6%). Corporate-sized congregations with 351 or more in worship represent only 3.3% of Episcopal congregations.
—The median Episcopal parish had 66 persons at Sunday worship in 2009 according to the annual Parochial Report—down from 72 in 2006 and 77 in 2003.
In the Anglican Catholic Church, we are moving in the opposite direction, albeit slowly. This should be very encouraging, particularly to smaller congregations. So, let’s remember not drive folks off with “gatekeeping” or “Angricanism”, but concentrate on being who we are-a quiet, orthodox Christian refuge from the secular world and from “mainstream” denominations gone quite mad.
Lenten blessings,
Canon Nalls
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