It's easy to throw stones at ministries that are different to our own. In Sydney we have our traditional parish churches and newer "affinity" focused churches which gather people engaged in similar activities, who are usually more mobile so that the church draws from a wider region.

Suburban churches can attack "affinity churches" focused for example on doctors or uni students. We can complain that they draw all the good, young people away from the parishes. "Affinity" churches can attack suburban churches for only being focused on local things, and not changing quickly enough to meet gospel needs.

That these different ministries exist is because for some Sydney is a place where they live and for others a process that takes them to where they want to be. It is time to see that under God's good hand we have a variety of church types, which we should recognise and try to make the most of.

One way of thinking about the difference is to consider the only type of watering systems we are currently allowed in Sydney, which comprises of a pipe carrying water to many feeders which drip water onto smaller areas. Both the pipe and feeders are essential. Suburban churches are a little like the feeders in that they can soak a small area very well, and "affinity" churches are a little like the pipes, which carry and move their contents along to their final destination.

"Affinity" churches need to recognise the sort of people who attend are often in the process of movement " movement in relationships, movement in location, movement in occupations. Such people are unlikely to remain in these congregations forever.  That means one of the church tasks is to use however long people are present to prepare them for a life or ministry in another place. A good question to ask a new member is "how long do you intend being with us?" That will help the church to best use and prepare the new member for a life of service. 

To push the pipe illustration further, "affinity" churches need to ensure the pipe itself remains in tact so it can continue to carry the water. That means some of the members must be challenged to stay long term and serve as infrastructure for the church. This is often a costly request, since the congregation exists in a flow through mode while they are adopting an in-place mode.

Parish churches often have the best saturation when people want to settle down. This is usually when children come along. At that time parents want stability and proximity. Life revolves around school, kid's sport, shopping and church. That is why it is often harder to make rapid change. These churches need to harness the strong local relationships that exist so that the whole neighbourhood may be reached with the gospel of Christ. The sorts of questions you should be asking are "Who are you in contact with? Who do your kids know? What activities are you involved in? " and seek a way to bring the gospel into these situations. The church also needs to recognise that losing people to affinity churches for a time will cause the gospel field to be watered in another area down the track.