There, thorough training allows young people to move from being campers to gradually learning more about leadership over several years. The program includes Bible study and other activities and there is even a spiritual director for staff, as well as a chaplain for campers. No apology is made for being Christian. Here, young people are learning skills that will equip them for leadership in the church, workplace and community. The church can also sell some of its earthly treasures, including many too-large buildings that have become millstones, and invest the money in new projects.
Churches are in a unique position to provide food for the spiritually hungry of society.
Yet there are almost no spiritual centres sponsored by the church. Given the wealth of theological and spiritual resources, the Anglican Church could train leaders and set up several such centres around the country, governed by a common leadership but with roots in the local community. Instead of trying to raise millions to repair old church bell towers and decrepit, under-used buildings, imagine what would happen if a couple of million dollars were invested to provide income for dynamic youth leadership or to develop accessible spiritual resources. People might come back to church. Then someone would have to publish a Good News book.