Sam Smith – As a seventh day agnostic, I share most Christian values albeit regarding where they allegedly came from as far more myth than reality. The other day I heard of a minister describing churches as one of the few remaining institutions of real importance to community. I think this is right. Certainly business, politics or media are not places to go to learn about ethics, fairness and decency.
It occurred to me that progressive churches could reach out to non-church goers by having Saturday programs for what might be called a community congregation, i.e. folk who share the church’s values if not its faith. These programs would be non-religious but centered on things like public ethics, financial responsibility, community needs and morals as part of education. How do communities get their needs met? What it the decent way to run a business? How should the media cover such matters? How could schools do a better job of teaching civics and ethics?
These programs would be predominantly run by those outside the church although its members would certainly participate. It would bring churches and community closer together while bringing forward issues that we have let fade in our discussions.
Just a thought.
