The trend of the contemporary world is towards individualism. By many commentators this is seen as a great threat to the church.
The word privatisation has two connotations, both of which are relevant in this context.
1. It implies the disengagement of faith from the public arena. You may have your own personal beliefs but these are never to be expressed, or used as guiding principles for others in the workplace or community or often even in our own home. This disengagement is partially voluntary (a retreat) and partially coercive (an exclusion).
The re-emergence of heavy shepherds
What would you think if you received a letter from your church leaders that read like this? ‘Are church …