Jobam
Well-Known Member
I have a paid subscription. I scan through it in under one minute. Then I drop it off at my church for others to read.
I like the new format and appreciate the digital and Facebook presence. Both allow more up to date, current, stories.
The Observer has never been my cup of tea.....as it does not speak to me. My church is a rural (small town) church and most of the articles are worldly issues. I can read about them anywhere, what I crave most is articles on church issues, struggles and successes. More reflective of what the everyday church goer experiences.
We all struggle with many of the same issues/concerns - would be nice to have some way of knowing that we are not alone in our membership struggles, relative church worship services and how other local congregations are meeting the needs of their spiritual communities and the outside world.
No use of pronouns is an issue for me as well. At least one article should be written and/or use pronouns that reflect a portion of people in our congregations.
Interviewing and/or having articles on how others are doing things really helps. While inclusiveness is important, many churches outside of larger cities just don't have the opportunity for diversity. Why not a story on how not to make Regional Councils and congregations not feel guilty when their membership doesn't reflect where we, as a faith community, want to be....not by choice, but by lack of demographics.
I would love to hear from churches that are not only Affirming but have an active LGBT ministry....especially youth.
Sunday school success articles, youth group articles/ideas, caring for seniors in church and community...the list goes on.
I don't need and/or want history. Present day challenges only interest me if they affect my local church. The rest of the info I can get in other resources.
What do folks here think about the relevance of The Observer?
I like the new format and appreciate the digital and Facebook presence. Both allow more up to date, current, stories.
The Observer has never been my cup of tea.....as it does not speak to me. My church is a rural (small town) church and most of the articles are worldly issues. I can read about them anywhere, what I crave most is articles on church issues, struggles and successes. More reflective of what the everyday church goer experiences.
We all struggle with many of the same issues/concerns - would be nice to have some way of knowing that we are not alone in our membership struggles, relative church worship services and how other local congregations are meeting the needs of their spiritual communities and the outside world.
No use of pronouns is an issue for me as well. At least one article should be written and/or use pronouns that reflect a portion of people in our congregations.
Interviewing and/or having articles on how others are doing things really helps. While inclusiveness is important, many churches outside of larger cities just don't have the opportunity for diversity. Why not a story on how not to make Regional Councils and congregations not feel guilty when their membership doesn't reflect where we, as a faith community, want to be....not by choice, but by lack of demographics.
I would love to hear from churches that are not only Affirming but have an active LGBT ministry....especially youth.
Sunday school success articles, youth group articles/ideas, caring for seniors in church and community...the list goes on.
I don't need and/or want history. Present day challenges only interest me if they affect my local church. The rest of the info I can get in other resources.
What do folks here think about the relevance of The Observer?