Brothers+

Thinking out loud, or should I say random thinking out
loud about geographic boundaries and gasoline prices.

The big event in Indianapolis is the annual race at
the brickyard. 

When I moved from Cincinnati to Indianapolis, I
anticipated some increase in prices, but frankly did
not see a doubling in the gasoline cost.  Two years
ago, part of the strategy for growth of Good Shepherd
was to bring into Indianapolis from out lying areas
people who had an interest in  what we were doing.  My
thought was that we could serve a pastoral role to
those who had felt abandoned and also could use these
same persons as my first contacts to begin missions in
the outlying counties.

After 2 ½ years, we have only one mission point, some
35 miles from Indianapolis where we have a dozen to
twenty attending evening prayer and an inquirers class
on Wednesday night.  This group may eventually become
a mission, though now some will be confirmed initially
as members of Good Shepherd.  The dozens of people
from outlying areas, who had visited Good Shepherd a
time or two in the last three years and expressed some
interest, have dwindled to three active members who
drive some 40 minutes make the trip from outside of
Indianapolis.  

The wisdom from others as well as my own when coming
into Indianapolis was that we should locate our
mission in a growing suburban area near the outer
freeway circle.  Now that does not appear so wise as
many gentlemen are reluctant to start their engines at
$3.05 a gallon.  A central location appears to be
mandated by economics.

Last year I began encouraging our people to canvass
the area around our present location, distributing
literature and letting the neighborhood people know we
are interested in them.  Parishes may have to be
structured around bus schedules, and distances within 
1 mile radius.   Why one mile?  A generation ago a
survey revealed that was the average distance people
were traveling to attend church.  

Who knows, maybe we will see the return of the parish,
wherein people lived within the sound of the bell.
Should be good for our troubled foundry business as
well as make possible the return of a parish gathering
for daily prayers. 

What are your experiences?  Are you starting your
engines as often now as you did last year?

Charles+
Church of the Good Shepherd, Indianapolis