The Church Press tells us this week that campaigners formed a human chain around an historic parish church threatened by plans to build an eco-town near Selby.  The protesters linked arms around isolated St Edmund’s at Kellington on Saturday, worried that 15,000 homes at Willow Green would have an impact on the church.

Were their concerns about the workload of the local clergy, or strains on local transport and infrastructure?  No.  The campaigners say the ecotown would ruin views of the church building, which since the 17th century has been lauded for its “splendid isolation”.  (Church of England Newspaper, 30 May 2008)

I didn’t know whether to laugh or weep.  To paraphrase their concern, ‘We don’t want people near our church – that would only spoil the view’. 

For so many today the Church is functionally irrelevant, distant from their everyday lives.  As a result, the Gospel is seen as outdated and unnecessary.  But God so loved the world that he gave his only Son to save us.  I want to be where the people are: among them, sharing the love of the Lord Jesus Christ who died to save us, serving them in the name of Christ and in the power of the Spirit.  There can be no greater privilege.  And the dear folk of Kellington want to keep the people away, lest the views of the building be spoiled.  Lord, have mercy.