I am always amazed at how many times folks will share with me that their greatest desire is to have people come to our church. "If folks would just come to this place and attend our worship services, they would understand that we really are a friendly church." Well-meaning folks usually want to share what has brought meaning and purpose to their own lives with the lives of others. A noble and holy goal. But sometimes I wonder if it isn't because we have become "location-fixated."
Among the first comments I receive from folks who visit our sanctuary is how lovely or beautiful it is. And it is truly magnificent. The colors, the warmth of the stained glass, the close proximity of every pew to the chancel area, all contribute to the splendor of the facilities, and help to enhance the worship-ful atmosphere. There is great pride amongst most folks who love their churches. But there is still something missing.
Recently, Bishop Robert Schnase quoted Peter Drucker: "An organization begins to die the day it begins to run for the benefit of the insiders and not for the benefits of the outsiders.” ( leadnet.org.) It is as though the main focus of many congregations is to get people to come into the doors, and then once they are inside, they will find that they never want to leave.
And therein lies much of the problem of the decline in the church today. Another article I recently read about the upcoming General Conference proposed legislation involves helping to reverse the "denominational decline." For many folks, the declining numbers in worship and professions of faith, the trends toward an aging denomination, are signs that we are losing ground. The handwriting on the wall has led many to believe that in the next couple of decades, if these trends aren't turned around, there might not be a United Methodist Church for future generations. John and Charles Wesley will be relegated to a Wikipedia entry from a bygone era!
Lest we get too far down that road of despair, let me first say that the Holy Spirit has other plans. And the first part of that plan has the church re-evaluate its position on church growth. We are not interested in transferring members as much as we are interested in helping people to come to a faith decision for Jesus Christ. Professions of faith are what we are called to be about. Matthew's Great Commission stated the goal of the church fairly succinctly: "Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything that I've commanded you. Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age" (Matthew 28:19-20, CEB).
If our task is to "Go" and make disciples, then our task is not necessarily to just get people in the doors of the building. Rather, our task as the Church is to "Go" to where people are - people who are hurting, broken, needful, lost, etc. - and to share with them the good news of Jesus' saving grace. If all we WANTED to do was to get people in the doors, all we'd NEED to do is set up a gas pump outside and give away free gas. People would come from miles around! But our task isn't to give away gasoline - it is to share God's amazing grace.
We are called to be the Church that is sent out. We are called to share the love of God to those who need it most. We are not called to fill the pews. Our calling is quite clear in the Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church: We are called to "Make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." That will only happen when we stop looking inward and start moving outward.
See you in Church!
Grace and peace,
Brad
Good job!
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