If the mainstream church in the United States is going to actually thrive in the next generation it will need to drastically downsize. Most of the Christians that I know want the church to grow. They are willing to reach new people and try new ministries. They may even be willing to spend more energy, time, and money to experience the gospel among new people. What I haven't seen a readiness to downsize their church experience. There is a blind expectation that we (the institutionalized mainline church) can both reach the "unchurched" AND remain who we are: A cruise ship designed to provide the very best religious and social experience possible: A great staff that runs great programs and professional quality worship on a great campus. If the mainstream (middle class) church actually reaches people unlike them, there will be no sustainable way to maintain that kind of lifestyle. Granted, some churches will be called by God to reach out to other persons who have similar tastes and abilities to finance such an experience. But most of us, if we're honest with ourselves, will hear the commission to go to "all people" which will include not only those who are unable to afford capital campaigns but also those who are socially intimidated by walking into a building nicer than the nicest homes in their town.
Let me take the example of how my denomination likes to start new churches. We like to spend a few hundred thousand dollars up front to help a church pay a few staff members, rent a space to worship, and provide programs/supplies for its ministries. Over five years the hope is that the church will develop a giving base that can sustain the purchase of a property, the building of a church, and the expansion of a staff. The goal is to make more churches that look like the ones we all want to become: coffee bars, digital signs, and beautiful spaces for worship and classes. Most of the time it just ain't gonna happen. Can we learn to downsize our church experience and be okay with just God and our sisters and brothers in Christ? Would you still go to church if there were no organ, rockin praise band, or air conditioned rooms with padded seats? Could you be a part of a growing church that didn't have a huge VBS set and ski trips for the youth? The future of your church may depend on your answer.
I understand in part what is being said; however, what is the bottom line suggestion for our Kerrville FUMC family with the many mission outreaches. I suppose many are enhanced by the "doughnut bars, etc" but, as I see it, the growth we are experiencing is amazing and blessed by God. How and why then would "downsizing" be a positive? I must be missing something profound here. Jeannette Dobson
ReplyDeleteThank you Jeannette for your questions. Know that part of my effort through this blog is to clarify and correct my thoughts and ideas, your honest questions help me to do that.
ReplyDeleteI am specifically referring to an economic downsizing of the church, not necessarily a numerical and certainly not a spiritual one. In our particular context, I can see our church growing in the future among a population that does not have the same financial means that the current congregation does. In terms of the next decade or two, this means that the turn-over of membership could be significant and our budgets may need to shrink. I don't want the next generation at FUMC to have the burden of keeping up one of the nicest campuses and largest staffs when neither of those things are essential for the church to be the church. I think we should grow spiritual and numerically, but for the church to do so over the long term, I think we may need to trim some of the luxuries we've come to expect from such a nice church as ours. You are spot on - we want growth that is ordained and blessed by God. I am suggesting that growth doesn't always mean more staff, expensive programs, and nicer facilities. Let me know that that clears anything up.
Thank you, Ray, for your answer to some of my confusion. The economic downsizing by "trimming some of the luxuries" makes sense and I totally agree with your reasons; however, I would not want to be on the committe to judge which luxury should be elimated: kitchen staff, web master, choir director, etc, etc?) Surely, all have been a factor in bringing in new members to our church family and introducing them to Jesus Christ. All cost dollars and/or many volunteers. I do hear what you are saying and I do agree ... but we are on a tredmill and will need help getting off. Jeannette Dobson
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