Bradford's Dying Methodists

Four more Methodist churches are set to close in the Bradford area. The Telegraph and Argus reports:

‘Bosses of the Airedale Methodist Circuit say the changes are "essential" if the Church is to retain a viable presence.’

A spokesman was duly quoted:

“We see these changes to the life of our Methodist circuit as both essential and desirable, as we want to ensure that God’s work continues and flourishes – reaching new people as well as encouraging our existing church family. Change is never comfortable, but it is essential if the Methodist Church wishes to continue to have a viable and active presence across Airedale."

That its leaders are describing closing down its own churches as “desirable” is simply absurd. The Methodist Church has already ceased to be viable. Why is this? Changing demographics, expensive maintenance bills, general religious malaise? These may all be contributing factors, but the real reason is the Methodist Church’s abandonment of the original, Christian gospel. More interested in politically correct speech and redefining marriage, the message of sin’s forgiveness purchased by the crucified and resurrected Son of God will only play third or fourth fiddle. Give it another ten years, or perhaps just five, and Bradford’s remaining chapels, in which once the gospel was preached, will be closed down, too. Doubtless, some Methodist luminary will announce how desirable this is. For once, I shall be in full agreement.

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