By John Cole

STAGE ONE:

"The building is the church"

This is the starting point for people who have little or no understanding or interest in what goes on inside the church building.

For many of these folk the church is a particular building in a locality which ‘belongs’ to the people of that locality.

It is there when they need it (mainly for weddings and funerals but also sometimes for civic ceremonies and public anniversaries - royal jubilees etc).

 If pressed, they will recognise some responsibility to keep it there for future generations. But don’t let anyone suggest altering it!