Feb. 4 issue
To fill empty pews
Jesus says: Be the best you that you can be
The United Methodist Church has declined in membership every year since it was formed in 1968. The same is true of Mennonite Church USA’s 11-year history. Denominations big and small, old and new, are searching for ways to stop the bleeding.
Since 2001, MC USA has seen membership drop from 120,381 to 97,737 — an 18.8 percent decline. Today MC USA isn’t much bigger than one of the two denominations that formed it: It has only 11,066 more members than the Mennonite Church in the U.S. alone had in 1997.
Emptier pews make MC USA a typical denomination. According to a 2011 study by the National Council of Churches, 19 of the 25 largest U.S. denominations declined in the previous year.
But it’s little consolation that Methodists and Presbyterians are shrinking too. Nor can we take solace in knowing that church growth in past generations mostly came from higher birth rates. Our grandparents probably were no better evangelists than we are. But the days are over when our churches could thrive simply as havens for those who grew up Mennonite.
Numbers aren’t everything. An old saying goes, “Not everything that counts can be counted.”
But numbers matter. So every declining denomination draws up a blueprint for improvement. The United Methodists have identified four drivers of church growth: a mix of traditional and contemporary worship styles; small groups, including strong programs for children and youth; inspirational preaching; and active lay leadership. MC USA has a seven-point Purposeful Plan.
But beyond the good advice stands one more hurdle: self-doubt. A shrinking congregation wonders if it lacks the ability to grow.
To them Jesus says, “The kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21). You do have what it takes. So be the best you that you can be.
Every congregation has a unique character and calling. Find your strength and build on it. Lift up what makes your fellowship a little bit like the kingdom of heaven.
You might be good at preaching the power of salvation. You might be passionate about peace and social justice. You might be known for welcoming undocumented immigrants or gay and lesbian people. You might nurture close-knit small groups. You might be blessed with racial or socioeconomic diversity. You might have a great worship band or wonderful four-part singing. You might be good at teaching the Anabaptist way of following Jesus.
Whatever you do well, work to do it better.
This doesn’t rule out the fact that you probably need to change some things too. You might have put up barriers that block the view of the kingdom within. Then you will have to “throw off everything that hinders” (Heb. 12:1): self-absorption, narrow-mindedness, fractiousness, judgmentalism.
But don’t try to become someone else. There’s only one of you, and God wants your best.
Comments
-
Over the years I have seen people come and go from congregations. In talking with them, when I initially meet them, I find they are looking for a social niche to belong to. Like the young single Mum who came to our church recently. We have no other young single Mums. But over at the nearby Baptist congregation there is a great social milieu for young Mums of all situations. They have plenty of social occasions to meet with other mothers. When this was suggested to the current Reverend as good place for this young Mum, he was not impressed. For him, it seems, theology is more important than a person’s social needs. I have a great deal of respect for the Mormons and how they recognise that the best way of keeping its members are to create community at church. There are activities for the young, the married, the single, and the older members. Other churches, such as the Baptist one I mentioned do the same. It is a mega church admittedly, but within that large church are communities where one can find friends and a sense of belonging. In speaking with one young married woman at our church once she complained about the lack of community in the church. She said, there is nothing for the kids, no one my age to talk to, and we don’t do anything. I have not seen her since. She wanted to be true to her theology, but her social needs were not being met. Well, in the end her need for community and having her social needs met won out and she left. I remember one progressive Pastor stating once that meeting people’s needs in the church damages the mission of the church in providing justice and social action. Well, my reply to that is you can’t do anything if your pews are empty and there is no cash coming in to fund your programs. Now look at the Baptist church I mentioned and they have full pews, there social programs/ outreaches are providing good services to the community and meeting their congregation’s social needs at the same time. The Mormons have full pews, (at least in this country); they provide their people with a sense of community, and fund huge social relief in times of disasters. Meanwhile, the aging congregation next door opens their very few purses and wallets and works hard at gaining government grants to fund their programs. After the service on Sunday they go home and rely on non-congregation friends and family to fill their social voids. For them, church is an hour or so on Sunday. Meanwhile, the Baptists at the mega church goes away on picnics, car rallies, movie nights, Mums and bubs (baby), morning teas while at the same time raising funds to fund their services to the community. Yes, the church is not a social club, but I don’t blame people for shifting to other churches to have their social needs met. It is a basic human need, (look at Maslow’s hierarchy of needs). They can donate money just as easily in one church as they can in another. As for throwing 'OFF THINGS THAT HINDER', may I suggest we start with theology.
Comment on the article To fill empty pews
Please keep comments civil. MWR editors reserve the right to remove any comment. When posting a comment, you agree to the MWR Comments Policy. Name and comment will be posted; commenters are strongly encouraged to give their full name. Email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download