11.30.2004
Parochial System
I have been feverishly interested in and looking up any resources regarding the parochial ecclesiastical system. i guess I should qualify that by adding in "Scottish" or "Celtic", as opposed to the more identifiable Roman Catholic parish system. It all started with one small chapter in Doug Wilson's "Mother Kirk" that mentioned the work of Thomas Chalmers. Since then I have been trying to find anything I can on the man and his ideas. George Grant seems to have done a lot of work in regards to Chalmers, and keeps promising to write a book about him, someday. The problem is that all of Chalmers works are out of print, and I am not an antiquarian collector. I have also stumbled upon Thomas Guthrie, who was a co-worker with Chalmers. Although I have not even seen the tip of this iceberg, I am so intrigued and encouraged by the idea of the parish system as it relates to covenant communities. I hope to be able to expand my understanding of the workings of the parish ministry very soon.
Some ministries that appear to be using this model are the Peru Mission, and Desire Street in New Orleans. I am interested to know how this would work in suburban Tampa as opposed to the Scottish countryside or tennement slums. I have a tendency to think of a parish as consisting of the families in the church, as opposed to families in a geographical area. And to confess my pride (or fear), I would rather think of just doing it within the church. Either way, this is something I am hoping that whatever church I am a part of in the near future will commit to.
I have been feverishly interested in and looking up any resources regarding the parochial ecclesiastical system. i guess I should qualify that by adding in "Scottish" or "Celtic", as opposed to the more identifiable Roman Catholic parish system. It all started with one small chapter in Doug Wilson's "Mother Kirk" that mentioned the work of Thomas Chalmers. Since then I have been trying to find anything I can on the man and his ideas. George Grant seems to have done a lot of work in regards to Chalmers, and keeps promising to write a book about him, someday. The problem is that all of Chalmers works are out of print, and I am not an antiquarian collector. I have also stumbled upon Thomas Guthrie, who was a co-worker with Chalmers. Although I have not even seen the tip of this iceberg, I am so intrigued and encouraged by the idea of the parish system as it relates to covenant communities. I hope to be able to expand my understanding of the workings of the parish ministry very soon.
Some ministries that appear to be using this model are the Peru Mission, and Desire Street in New Orleans. I am interested to know how this would work in suburban Tampa as opposed to the Scottish countryside or tennement slums. I have a tendency to think of a parish as consisting of the families in the church, as opposed to families in a geographical area. And to confess my pride (or fear), I would rather think of just doing it within the church. Either way, this is something I am hoping that whatever church I am a part of in the near future will commit to.
