Poor attendance is said to blame
After just two years and four months, Columbia Hope Episcopal Church at 4603 John Garry Drive is closing because of lack of attendance. The church’s last worship service will be tomorrow. The Rev. Dan Smith, executive officer of the diocese, said about 40 to 50 people on average were coming to Sunday worship.
“To start a new church there has to be a significant growth pattern over a period of time” to keep it running, Smith said.
“Firstly, I’m deeply saddened by this,” he said. “I thought Columbia was a great location for another Episcopal church. … This one just never gained traction.”
Ron Hansing switched from Calvary Episcopal Church to Hope a couple of months after it opened. He enjoyed Hope, he said, because “a lot of churches talk about diversity and inclusiveness, but Hope Church actually lived it.”
Smith said the diocese raised considerable money to start the new church in February 2009. That same month he told the Tribune that the community was “primed for another congregation.”
“I don’t think it’s changed,” Smith said. “Starting a congregation is a risky endeavor.”
He estimated only about 15 percent of new churches succeed. But Columbia still is a potential site for another Episcopal church, Smith said. The diocese will wait 18 to 30 months and then see if it might try again.
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1 comment:
"Diversity and inclusiveness" are not part of the formulae for successful planting of a parish. It's been shown time and time again that conservative parishes are the ones that are growing. What do I mean by that? I mean parishes that emphasize Bible study, evangelical preaching, engagement of lay ministry, and the moral imperative and discipline of marriage, family, and children.
This parish, however, wanted to model itself on the same failed formula that TEC is based on, including a pastrix/vicarette. That's cute and everything, but it's not going to get men in the pews. You have to get the men, particularly young men between the ages of 20-40, in order to build a thriving parish-- if you get the men, you get the women and children as well.
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