What's the biggest challenge facing churches today? Postmodernism? Government intrusion? Bad theology? For some local churches around the world, the threats aren't that grandiose.
Church
Trinity Episcopal Church by the Sea (open-air) Kihei, Maui
St. Peter's Church South Croydon, Surrey, U.K.
Kialla West Uniting Church Rural Shepparton, Victoria, Australia
New Life Church and others Dartmouth, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Challenge
As many as 200 wild chickens
Local drunks asking for quieter bells
Thieves who stole church's only outhouse
A pro-marijuana rally concurrent with a gathering of churches at the same city park
Quote
Pastor Morley Frech: "I don't know if they have their own worship services at night or what it is, but they make quite a mess."
Verger Geoffrey Hall: "I said if they didn't like the sound of bells, they could go somewhere else."
Pastor Ossie Kadel: "There could be a real stink over this . …One of the gifts of the Spirit is self-control—otherwise there's a few trees out the back."
Pastor George Campbell: "As long as the wind is blowing … away from us, it will be all right. [Our concession stand] could make a fortune once they get the munchies."
Sources: Honolulu Star-Bulletin, Sunday Mirror, Herald Sun, The Daily News
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