Tragically, new reports of the ongoing seismic demise of Christchurch (NZ) Cathedral are that, after the fatal earthquake the previous year, the remains are slowly being “rocked to pieces.”
With Dr. Kirk Hadaway’s last report to The Episcopal Church (USA)’s Executive Council regarding the membership and attendance decline since it’s zenith in the mid-1960′s and the immediate decadal trend showing “seismic” increase of decline from 2003 and 2004, with analysis, this series of pictures of the New Zealand cathedral provides quite an helpful allegory.
As you can imagine, the passionate response to the cathedral’s status, and the proliferation of “what to do” suggestions is large. Again, so similar to the same here in TECUSA.
Word.
Unfortunately, without such a visual allegory, Kirk Haddaway’s reports (he said, “While these numbers may not capture the totality of what is happening in the Church, we do not have a measure that is moving in a positive direction.”) have often been received with blind denial. Perhaps this allegory will make the point.
The third image, created by me simply using “Paint”, represents the grass roots erosion in response to the earlier “top down” erosion.
1964 - In its grandeur
2003 - top down
current : top down and bottom up
All is not lost. Have a look at the proposal to rebuild the spire at Christchurch using the skills and muscles of hunderds….barn raising style http://www.thePeoplesSteeple.org
We’re also working on a restoration/repair friendly make-safe plan that can be installed without having to set foot inside the building until the shoring is in place.
It’a all about pepole working together…a sermon in stone, wood and sweat. As proverbs tells us: “remove not the ancient landmarks that your fathers have set up.”