Class divides and Church, Part 4

Having looked at some of the reasons why our churches might be middle class or certainly more accessible to the middle class, the question is how do we change that?  I want to tentatively suggest some ways that might be helpful.

Develop a vision of a classless (gospel) church.  As you read Acts you can't help but be struck by the believers all encompassing vision of who both the gospel and church was for.  We need to do the same, to develop and cast a vision of a truly classless church.  We need to challenge the unwritten rules of church, to challenge the assumption that middle class values are gospel values, and preach a better, more biblical vision to our churches.

Perhaps churches ought to think about selling existing buildings and moving church to working class areas. Encouraging those who are willing to relocate too but asking the more middle class to commute on Sundays.  Because the middle classes operate by network not neighbourhood we can reach the middle class from a working class base location, we cannot do it the other way round.

We need to think about restructuring church so that all can access everything (e.g. home groups, things that cost, transport).  We need to make preaching accessible to all by painting pictures,  telling stories and making practical concrete applications not just preaching abstract ideas.  We need to make Sunday school a place where we teach to those with varied learning styles, where we disciple, invest in and pastor young people from difficult backgrounds.  We need to share meals not in homes but as a fellowship all together where everyone is welcome and where a range of food is available.

We need to ensure that as churches we value the skills of everyone not just those who are good with words. How can church enable those with practical gifts to serve?  How can it make the most of the God given practical skills those from working class occupations have.

We must recognise that right now is a time of unprecedented opportunity for middle class churches to reach the working class and deprived areas of the UK. Cuts have left these areas in greater need than ever, largely because they are easy targets. These communities have no voice and no connections to protest the loss of a children's centre or youth club or community resource, we can be their voice and serve and lead them to Christ. There is a great gospel opportunity and need to serve in working class areas without charging, providing services and support.  Not riding in as the white knights who will do the rescuing but getting alongside the community to empower it and enable it to flourish and develop.

But maybe that all feels a bit too extreme.  Sell buildings, relocate and so on.  Well there is another way there are churches already working in such areas but as you can imagine the needs always outweigh the resources to meet them.  As you read Acts you find wealthy churches giving generously to meet the needs of others.  Could our wealthier more middle class churches partner with a church in a working class or deprived area?  Could it part fund a worker there?  Could it encourage short term missions teams to help run holiday clubs, staff CAP centres and so on?  Could it partner in the gospel by praying regularly for such a church?