Church Open, Come In

The Tower of the Church of
St Andrew & St Mary

Grantchester. 

There really is such a place. It’s about 4 km (1.6 mi.) south of Cambridge. A brisk walk through the Grantchester Meadows, trails through farm fields where signs warn of possible encounters with cattle (and how to cope), brought me into the back yard of The Red Lion, not yet open for business, and soon to The Green Man, just opening its doors. Tempting though it was to stop for a bite and a drink, I sauntered just a block further to the Church of St. Andrew and St. Mary.

There it was. It’s funny how things always appear slightly different in real life than they do on the television screen, but there it was, clearly identifiable. Fortunately, there was a sign that beckoned, “Church Open, Come In.” That’s one thing I’ve found here. Regardless of whether it is a big city or a small town, church doors are nearly always open, ready to receive visitors. There is seldom (if ever) heavy security apparatus apparent. I wonder if it is necessary. Perhaps there is an inherent respect for these sanctuaries that is lacking in our society. One can wonder.

The south side rear

Another thing that I have noticed is that because these churches are often very old, space is at a premium. There is no compunction to use every bit of available space for some activity or another. At St. Bene’t’s on Sundays, for example, coffee and cakes are served in the North aisle. The equivalent at St. Luke’s might be to have coffee hour in the Lady Chapel! 

Children's area on the north side 

In St. Andrew's and St. Mary’s in Grantchester, drawings about proposed modifications to the church entrance (and the accompanying capital campaign) are posted near the massive and ancient baptismal font, near table and chairs that serve as a meeting and discussion area. On the side opposite is a children’s area near the narthex. Every square foot being put to use.

It reminds me that church isn’t always “neat and tidy.” In fact, messy church (which often means noisy church) can mean a church that is alive and thriving. Several years ago, I remember standing at a pre-convention meeting during a rather heated debate to remind some folks that the mission of the church was to make disciples and not simply to sustain museums. What good were our lovely and beautiful buildings if they are empty and devoid of worshipers? Holding on to the past for its own sake - keeping things neat and tidy - at the expense of the Church's fundamental mission is a sure path to decline and is, I believe, contrary to the will of God. Everything we do, every change we make must always keep that mission in mind.

“Church Open, Come In” -- I think it’s time we made that our motto, too.