What does your Church do, that you really wish they didn't?

[Sausagenbacon]

I'm obviously not going to do a flounce on the basis of this, but..
We used to have hymn numbers in the service sheet (there's no boards). But they've stopped doing that, in the aim of inclusion. Instead, the hymn numbers are announced during the service.
Which is ok, except when we stand to offer one another a sign of peace.
So the clergy say 'you may now offer each other a sign of peace, and the next hymn is xx'
Written down, it doesn't sound that bad, but it actually feels like an interruption in a lovely part of the service.

My church members wear uniform. I disagree with it and refuse to conform! I find the whole concept divisive and non welcoming. Also the arguments people have over correct/incorrect uniform are beyond ridiculous.

As a non-uniform wearing member, but also a member of the leadership team, I've found that people new to the church will approach me more readily as I'm told I come across as less intimidating because I'm not in uniform.

I've never heard of church members wearing a uniform!

What kind of uniform???

I'd guess Salvation Army, who do great work, and often seem to be there in times of trouble, rolling their sleeves up and getting on with it, when no-one else has started moving.

😱, that is shocking, but why do I want to 😂

Oh, that makes sense. I was vaguely imagining Amish bonnets and dungarees, with compulsory moustache-less beards.

Salvation Army never entered my head 🙄

I'm not sure about this example tbh. In my experience churches can become repositories of worn out articles of provenance that is unknown..... until someone decides to move them. At this point someone complains about things being done the wrong way.

You’ve raised some profound and thoughtful points about institutional accountability, especially within church contexts. From an Evangelical Anglican perspective, this resonates with both biblical principles and practical realities. The Church, as a body of Christ, is expected to model justice, truth, and repentance. Leaders should not only shepherd their flock but also demonstrate accountability. However, as you rightly point out, the reality often falls short due to human flaws, relational dynamics, and institutional pressures. Abuse and misconduct thrive in environments where power is unchecked, and manipulation allows individuals to hide their actions. Leaders, being human, can be swayed by personal connections or fear of consequences, such as losing a key ministry in a resource strapped diocese. This is why external, independent oversight is so critical. It removes conflicts of interest and ensures justice is pursued impartially, aligning with the biblical mandate to "act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8).The suggestion for an interdenominational, independent investigative body is compelling. Such an organization could provide a consistent and fair response to misconduct, devoid of denominational politics or personal bias. It would also address the perception that only high-profile denominations, like the CofE or Catholic Church, face scrutiny while smaller groups may escape public attention. Yes, the CofE has had its failings, but as you rightly note, it is not alone. Every denomination has its struggles with sin, leadership failure, and systemic issues. Recognizing this reality doesn't excuse wrong but calls for humility and collective repentance. As evangelicals, we must advocate for robust systems that protect the vulnerable, holding all leaders accountable while trusting in God’s justice.
Ultimately, this is about reflecting Christ's character in how we handle both sin and those who suffer its consequences.

@PilgriminProgress Agree 100% with everything you said. This is a big problem within evangelical settings with lots of independent churches and no accountability at all. In my experience, any attempt to correct 'Pastors' is met with 'We are told not to judge' or 'Who are you to someone else's judge servant?' and the most manipulative (in my opinion), 'Do not touch my anointed' so there is a fear that to even raise any complaint is going to bring God's wrath. Consequently, they are a law unto themselves and do as they please causing great hurt to the body of Christ.

Very wise words. Hear hear to your closing sentence.

@TomPinch I think it ws the fact he wanted to change absolutely everything- hymns had to be sung to the American tunes, "We did this in the US etc"

I'm not saying we should keep every old stick of furniture but I can still remember as a child sitting in church wondering why the minister was so late then 2 elders going to the manse and finding him dead. He was very fondly remembered unlike the American.

There are so many churches going out there today. Several church's the parshioners after intending to join for a while will be asked to wear a unform. You can see this in some Charimatic church's especially that have established themselves in Europe. Thiink of Cherebim and Seraphim church''s just for example. The thread on what do you wear to church post discusses about clothing a bit more..
https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/christian-mumsnetters/5209385-what-do-you-wear-to-church

I’ve never heard of any church asking those attending to wear a uniform. The only exception might be the Salvation Army, but even then their worship meetings are open to everyone and there’s no need to wear a uniform to attend.

Ok, here is a link to one I was mentioning, those type of church's in the UK ask the members to wear white based on scripture or said Revelation usually to the founders.
https://www.candsukhq.org/

Some people will prefer to wear a uniform to church and some people will not.

Thanks for the link.

I can’t find anything on their website about wearing white clothing.

Ok those were several photos on the front page of what the uniforms can look like, you see people are dressed in white clothing.

A Church of a similar kind you can see the justification for the clothing.
Sutana is a white robe.
A sister would be a parisohner without office.
http://www.celestialchurchofchrist-worldwide.org/spiritualranks.htm
http://www.celestialchurchofchrist-worldwide.org/biblicaljustification.htm

What I have mentioned are African church's which are quite orthodox that have established themselves in many countries now and in the UK as well.

A church meeting near me through Covid wore white surplices, like choir robes, if I remember correctly. It wasn’t obvious to me whether they were a church or a choir.

Thanks for the information.
I’ve learned something today!

I really wish my priest didn't go into such a rant this evening in support of the white flower appeal and how abortion is genocide. "All for the sake of women's rights". He compared it to the holocaust which is horrific.
There was no nuance or thought to who he may have upset or offended.
I understand the church's stance but there is a difference between opinion and judgement. Sadly I feel I need to find a new church which is a shame as my autistic dc has loved service here.

For me, even though I'm anti abortion, there is a lot of nuance - and the church always recognised that. The recent stark black and white, ears shut approach is not good for anyone.

Our old priest, the last time there was a referendum coming, had to read us the bishops' pastoral letter, which he did by saying 'I've been asked to read you the bishops' letter. This is what it says: he read it; then 'that is the letter I was asked to read you'.

No-one could have doubted that he knew how difficult some people's situation is. Including some babies - the one I know about who lived 5 days on a painkiller drip. Was that experience better because the grandparents and siblings saw a face and gave a name? I'm not sure.

I'm very sorry you and your dc have been pit in that situation.

@DeanElderberry thank you for your kind words. You are right, things never used to be so black and white. That's what's so worrying.
I'm pro choice but as a personal choice it doesn't sit easy with me due to my faith but I will defend a woman's right to choose.

I will say I've always found the church's stance strange, in that the church promotes this appeal but doesn't do appeals that would make life easier for mothers: (and in turn be a positive show of life ) better pre/post natal care, drives for buggies, baby items etc for those in the parish. To maybe promote change of childcare costs which would allow families to have more children without financial risk. Or even raise items/days out etc for those children in care.

I just find it simplistic and offensive to place the blame with women having abortions, rather than seeing the many reasons a woman comes to this hard decision.

To sit there and be reduced to nothing by my priest hurts.

I hear you, but I’d respect more a priest who, like a former curate in my childhood parish, said ‘Here’s a bishop’s letter I’m supposed to read to you, but I’m not going to’. (Then he quit and became a social worker, married and had three children.)

A Christian friend told me that years previously she had been “encouraged“ to have an abortion as a teenager by the older man with whom she was involved. She hadn’t been able to get over it and was experiencing a lot of grief, guilt and hurt. As she told me what had happened the Lord reminded me that “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9) and “the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin” (1John 1:7). Just hearing those words brought relief and light into her heart.

My dear friend was then helped through prayer ministry to lay her baby to rest with the Lord and she later received healing from Him for the anguish she was still feeling. It was a turning point in her life.

A few years later He also gave me a word of knowledge about another dear Christian lady who had also had an abortion in her early youth. He didn’t lead me to mention it to her but just to pray for her without a word being spoken. She subsequently told me about it herself.

Our enemy is a liar and a thief who comes only to “steal, kill and destroy” (John 10:10). Our Lord has defeated him and by His mercy and grace is able to bring healing and restoration, even years later.

(Then he quit and became a social worker, married and had three children.)

Good for him, if that was his calling, Not necessarily good for a priest whose calling is to bring people (and himself) closer to God and and to that mercy and grace @LeaningOnTheEverlastingArms wrote so well about. Regardless of obstacles that might well include the odd bishop, as well as the forces of secularism and greed,