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by David and Tim Bayly on December 9, 2011 - 11:12am

Sometimes we speak here on Baylyblog of "tall-steeple churches." What are they?

Tall-steeple churches are large, rich, and proud; and therefore quite influential.

Back in the day, posession of an earned doctorate was the line separating the men from the boys with the men pastoring tall-steeple churches and the boys relegated to short-steeples. Now an earned doctorate is no longer necessary. The D.Min. will do just fine.

But there's a new requirement. Don't even bother sending a tall-steeple church your dossier unless you've got a British or Scottish accent. Cockney most certainly will not do.

(TB)

Tags: 
Reformed world
Throw the radio in the bathtub

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Comments

Submitted by David A Booth on December 9, 2011 - 12:21pm

Regrettably, small churches can be every bit as worldly when they set their search criteria for a new pastor. It is amazing how many churches simply assume that their pastor will be a man of God rather than putting that at the top of their search criteria.

As for me, I am incredibly blessed to be serving in a congregation that not only doesn't have a tall steeple - we don't even have a building. What we do have is a high percentage of members who deeply love Jesus and not only want to know His word better they want to put it into practice. Ministering in such a congregation is a profound joy.

Your brother,

David

Submitted by David & Tim Bayly on December 9, 2011 - 1:31pm

True, true, dear brother David. And what a joy we share--to be able to minister in such a church!

Merry Christmas!

Tim

Submitted by Ross on December 10, 2011 - 2:12am

"A prophet is not without honour except in his own country". I could show you a lot of British churches in which having a local accent would be a distinct *dis*incentive to becoming its pastor. Especially a Cockney accent; it's the UK equivalent of sounding like you're from the Bronx.

On the other hand, being an American could well help get you through the door. Seriously: in Edinburgh (Scotland), a number of the large churches are pastored by Americans, so if there's anyone around Baylyblog looking for a pastoral call, maybe this is where you should start! The churches involved include both tall- and short-steepled ones, and church plants as well.

Submitted by Lucas Weeks on December 10, 2011 - 5:55am

I'm afraid you missed the funniest one: http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-a-french-accent

Apparently, you must assume a little French ennui to get the accent right.

Submitted by Henry on December 10, 2011 - 10:10am

Ross,

I take it you are speaking of Carrubbers? Do you have any particular recommendations for churches in Edinburgh?

Submitted by Ross Clark on December 10, 2011 - 11:09am

#5

Plenty, depending on what you're after. Assuming you would qualify as (genuinely) "Conservative evangelical", then yes, I would certainly recommend Carrubbers; and then something called Charlotte Chapel, which is Baptist. This isn't my own Christian niche, which is Anglican/Vineyard, but I would heartily recommend both of these fellowships. The Reformed church community I don't know at all, but I could ask around and get back to you if that would help. Or, feel free to write to me directly: holyhobbit - at - hotmail ...

:-)

Submitted by Henry on December 10, 2011 - 2:07pm

Thanks Ross,

yes I know of Charlotte Chapel, the (relatively new) minister is a 5-point Calvinist I believe, but the congregation aren't all on board with that I hear. A difficult situation for him.

I assumed Carrubbers would be Reformed also? Unless you mean presbyterian/westminster confession kind of reformed. In that vein I know of the Free Church/FCC/FP churches or the odd Church of Scotland that is evangelical.

Anyhow, I am a non-sabbatarian Reformed Baptist myself, so I imagine Charlotte Chapel would probably be the best bet, if you know of others in that vein I would be interested to know. (Oh, there are some very traditional Brethren assemblies) but they are sometimes Arminian and are uber-cessationist and a bit isolationist IMO).

There is a Newfrontiers church (Terry Virgo's family of churches, which on paper are Reformed Charismatic and Complementarian) but in my experience they don't always live up to what they are on paper and some of them tend to be a bit on the crazy side of the charismatic spectrum and also too much egalitarianism creeps in. I'm sure that is not true of all of them though.

Submitted by bert perry on December 10, 2011 - 5:11pm

What aboat a yooper accent, eh?

Submitted by David Gray on December 10, 2011 - 5:51pm

I used to attend Duncan Street Baptist in Edinburgh for a time, back in the 90s, and it was a good church at the time.

Submitted by Henry on December 11, 2011 - 8:16am

Thanks, I didn't know of that one.

Submitted by Ross on December 12, 2011 - 10:04am

#7, Henry

* If the pastor at Charlotte Chapel is a five-point Calvinist, I can assure you that his flock, never mind his elders, would not be on board at all. I knew that there was some "trouble at t'mill" but I didn't know it was over that. Carrubbers is not "five-point Calvinist" AFAIK.

* Concur also with your comments about New Frontiers.

* The trouble with much of the 'reliable' Reformed witness in Scotland (complementarian etc), is that in its presentation it is struggling to get into the twentieth century, never mind the twenty-first.

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