The Not Strangers but Pilgrims Inter-Church Process started from an understanding that nothing would work without support from 'local, national and International levels'. This was achieved in part by a massive consultation process over Lent 1986.
Fifty seven BBC and independent local radio stations produced programmes. Local churches met once a week over Lent and listened to the programmes and used a book prepared for study: What on Earth is the Church For?
It seems 60 - 70 000 local groups met over Lent and completed a questionnaire. 100 thousand completed questionnaires were submitted. A sample of 10% were analysed and the results published in Views from the Pews.
Views from the Pews had five chapter headings, according to the paper by Colin Davey and Martin Reardon. I've not read Views from the Pews but there is some mileage in commenting on these headings as they might offer some clues as to what has happened since it was published.
Grassroots find a Voice. The figures above tell their own story. I find it difficult to imagine this happening today, just over 23 years later. Even with the Internet at our disposal I suspect it would not happen. (Although it might have been possible to analyse all 100 thousand questionnaires!) Why do I say this? It's hard to say. I suppose I'm conscious of the decline in interest in formal ecumenism.
Jesus Hidden by Jargon. I am reminded of the 1960s Honest to God debate and it is likely this was still in people's minds, only 20 or so years later. One 1960s complaint was that ministers were not preaching what they were taught at ministerial training. The material in Honest to God was not unfamiliar to those in the know. Memories of this debate coupled with questioning of the teachings typically preached on Sundays perhaps led to greater resistance to jargon from any perspective. Today, I am amazed how often I hear people complain about pulpits ignoring the issues in Honest to God. Things have moved on since the 60s but we must still acknowledge some churches continue as if nothing has happened since the turn of the last century. This might account for why some people are experimenting with fresh expressions of church .
Afraid to Share. I suspect the success of Not Strangers but Pilgrims significantly reduced the fears there may have been between Christians. Indeed, younger people today, work together as Christians and say they have no need of denominational differences.
Enjoying our Differences. Which leads to the question: if you no longer recognise denominational differences, does this mean you do not value them? The reason why younger and older Christians need to consider these changes together is we need to aware of the consequences of losing the distinctive features of our traditions. I believe that out of these conversations, the shape of the future church will become clearer.
Time to Become One. If this was the view of the majority, is it possible some people have voted with their feet? This heading suggests the consensus was to become one. Maybe the consensus amongst some was, 'give them a few years and if we don't see any changes we'll do it ourselves'. I suggest whether or not the current consensus amongst younger people can be attributed to Not Strangers but Pilgrims, we must recognise it is where we are now.
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