Under the Rug 1998 Anglican identity is often closely related to being small. One of our favorite ways to describe our congregation is as a warm loving family. There is fear that growth will not only dilute our Anglican identity, it will result in a loss of intimacy.
Growth is change.
Many believe that the result of growth of membership in a congregation will be loss rather than gain. So, for those who do not want their congregations to grow, here are surefire ways to see that they don't. Do outreach primarily with money. Avoid the involvement of the congregation's time and talent in the ministries they fund. Isolate outreach as the work of a committed few.