As many of you will have no doubt seen the Spirit of Life Festival, which I have been involved in organising, hit the press this week. It got picked up in The Mail, The MEN and The Metro newspapers. People then jumped on the bandwagon, mainly conservative US commentators, and were quick to condemn the initiative because of a bit of misreporting in the newspapers, or as one blog puts it 'careless diocesan communication'. It was then picked up by the Church Mouse and also in Church Times this week, both of which were more balanced and more supportive of the event.
I'm not surprised that there has been a bit of a back-lash but I am slightly concerned that through the whole process we maybe shooting ourselves in the foot. Since the initial negative publicity there was a second press release that affirmed the Christian identity of the festival. I think that it is important that the Christian identity of the festival is affirmed, but I also have a concern that by over emphasising the Christian identity of the festival we may well drive away the people that we are wanting to attract.
Let's be clear - this event is not aimed at Christians. It's aimed at people who are interested in New Age Spirituality and this event seeks to engage with them through the riches of Christian Spirituality. I think that the people that we're seeking to attract are not wanting to know this is a tradition christian event as many of them will have rejected traditional Christianity, but are wanting to explore spirituality and are surprised to find so riches within the Christian tradition.
I hope this is really successful, Ben, in attracting non-Christians. I think it's a great thing. I'm only one small voice, in C of E clergy, but I'm sure there are many more who also would support this. Be encouraged. Be blessed.
Posted by: Karen | April 02, 2011 at 06:28 PM
i met some one recently who went and took two teenagers with her
..and..they... LOVED it!
indeed, be encouraged
Posted by: wondering aloud | May 30, 2011 at 08:56 PM