Large turnout for small church conference

Brad Everett

Times Contributor

 

Close to 100 laity and clergy from across the Anglican Diocese of Calgary gathered at the Travelodge in Strathmore on Oct. 4-5 to learn how to better meet the challenges facing small churches and to serve their communities.
The Very Rev. Kevin Martin, retired Dean of the Episcopal Cathedral in Dallas, Tex., was the featured speaker who used stories from his years in congregational development to help the attendees to look with fresh eyes at the issues and opportunities facing their congregations.
“This was a really helpful weekend,” said Dan Blunderfield, member of St. Michael’s and All Angels in Strathmore. “We were given a lot of great ideas on how to best utilize the resources we have as small churches.
“I really liked the idea of tailoring our worship and our ministry to best meet the needs of our community.”
The Rt. Rev. Greg Kerr-Wilson, Bishop of the Diocese of Calgary said Martin was the speaker at their Synod and Clergy gatherings earlier this year and when the topic of how to help small churches came up, Martin was a natural choice.
“It’s wonderful how he [Martin] uses stories to teach in such a brilliant way to touch hearts and minds, helping us to be more fully what Christ has called us to be as His church,” said Bishop Kerr-Wilson.
A small congregation is defined as one with less than 100 people attending on a Sunday. Roughly half the congregations in the Diocese of Calgary fall into this category.