1.The second congregation

 

We’re not satisfied with one

Even though it’s been good enough until now

No, we need a second one

It’ll be so much better

More in tune with today’s needs

 

We need to show the younger people

That the Church hasn’t died on its knees

That cold, dark, dusty Churches

Aren’t the only option

Yes, we’re planning a revolution

 

We’ll show those Elders

That Church has moved on, moved with the times

We’ll go for a vote-led campaign

To see if it wouldn’t be better

To create a Second Congregation

 

We know what we’re on about

We’ve suffered the dull Sundays

Sit down, stand up, sit down

Sing, pray a bit, sing again

And then die of boredom for 30 minutes

 

Yes, the Second Congregation

Will be much better, much more hip

Disabuse those youngsters

Of their naïve thoughts and impressions

We really will be a trendy, living Church

 

Only the young will be able to apply

Because that’s our target audience

We may need to shovel in a couple of Elders

Just in case things get out of hand

Keep the Second Congregation on track

 

So, we’ll be a reformist, elite group

Our Second, much better, Congregation

Let the rest turn up on Sundays, as always

And follow the same old pattern

That has worked for years and years

 

We’ll be teaching independence of thought

That the Lord our God really can be cool

As long as we shroud it all

In a mix of hip-hop and football, and this is why

We need a splinter-group, that Second Congregation

 

To convey the message

To show everyone how exciting God can be

To demonstrate the power He has

To feel loved for once in their life

Yes, we definitely need a Second Congregation

 

They’ll come flocking in their tens

Keen to learn just what is new

We’ll tell them straight – God IS for you

And in our growing excitement

We’ll believe we truly are doing some good

 

I’ve listened to all of this before

Still surprised by the lack of respect

Hardly ever have you mentioned my name

Sought my sound advice

I gave you the will to think, so use it wisely

 

I guess you think you know best

You’ve decided what people think they want

Discard all those fuddy-duddies

With their old traditional values

You know best, you need a Second Congregation

 

I can’t see that you’ve asked me

Just exactly what I think

I admire creativity, done a bit myself

But to decide you need a Second Congregation

Without asking, seems a little ill-thought out

 

Well, on your knees now

Remember me?

Yes, just ask me

I’ll let you know what I think

Remember faith? Recall vanity?

 

Well you should, I’m here and I’m listening

To all that you lot say

I think you’re trying to be the tail wagging the dog,

I think you are glorifying you

But you may, just may, have forgotten about me.

 

A