Was delighted and surprised by a very large turnout at church this morning – I had pared back the normal 3 services into one, expecting that people would concentrate on this evening’s or tomorrow morning’s offerings – but the lesson to learn is, I suspect, never again to underestimate the faith of the faithful.

That was the good news.

The other news – not sure it is ‘bad’, but it’s definitely different – is here (HT internetmonk.com). At my clergy support group the other day, the distinction was raised between ‘being a priest’ and ‘being an incumbent’ – and how the workload of the latter drives out the workload of the former (a sort of Gresham’s Law of Ministry). “How can someone spiritually shepherd hundreds?” – indeed.

The idea of just abandoning Church and getting on with being Christian can be very attractive, even if it’s not something I plan on doing any time soon myself. For one thing, I can’t imagine ever doing without communion on a Sunday, and gathering together with other people for the same purpose (doesn’t need a church building – but I think they’re inevitable). Yet there is certainly something in that post that needs to be heard.