You might be wondering why in the world am I writing about small churches. After all, we have almost 750 members and are getting closer and closer to averaging 500 each weekend in worship. Well, the reason is that I really believe in the "connectional system" that is the essence of the United Methodist Church. What affects one, affects all. What is done connectionally is greater than the sum of its parts.
The front page of the "New World Outlook" for Jan/Feb 2009 has a beautiful picture of one of our many small churches with the words, "Small Churches, Big Mission!" This is an important subject because 69.2% of United Methodist Churches in the USA have an average worship attendance of 40. In our Dakotas Conference, 79% of our churches are small membership churches with an average attendance of 39.
The magazine is filled with astonishing stories of ministry being performed in and through many small membership churches. I think a lot about the great ministry many of these churches perform and wonder what I/we could do to help them (as the Army says) Be All They Can Be. There are several things that come to mind:
1. Pray for them. In order for us to do that we have to sincerely believe that "we are all in this together" and bigger is not always better. Praying for someone means more than thinking of them occasionally and then going our merry way. It means not thinking that everything revolves around us, but looking around and thinking about the big picture of ministry.
2. Support them. I am not sure what all of that may include, but it might mean helping with teacher training, Sunday School materials. developing cooperative VBS programs, etc. We who are fortunate to be in a larger membership church must continually look outward for opportunities to link ourselves with churches that just cannot do some of the things we are blessed with the ability to do.
3. Think outside of the box. The future holds many exciting possibilities for the church. It, indeed, might not look anything like the present, but we have to be dreaming the dreams and opening ourselves to new and innovative ideas. For example, maybe larger membership churches need to become "Hub-Churches. These hub-churches might be a way to share resources (physical as well as fiscal) and work throughout a larger region/area in ways that serve our Lord even greater than ever before.
The Spirit of the Living God is at work in the life of small churches as well as those that are larger. But, we do not have the luxury of "going our own way" in ministry. To do so is to miss the very essence of Christianity and fail to exercise the very core belief of the United Methodist Church.
This is a very important issue as we look at the future. It is certainly more complex than my small attempt to think it out.
Just thinking. What do you think?
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Technology and the Human Imperative
I have talked about technology before and the desire to see how best to integrate it into the ministry of the church. In a recent conversation at the Church Council, a concern was shared that we did not ever want to do anything with technology that might cause people to stay away from church rather than being part of corporate worship and the general life of the local church. That is a very legitimate concern. The most powerful worship does, indeed, occur when we are together and as we are touched by the Holy Spirit. However, we must be careful that we don't identify corporate worship as the only "real" form of worship or even the only "effective" way in which to be touched by the Spirit. In fact, the Bible is clear that in the smallest of groups we can be assured that the Holy Spirit is present. There is also the issue of what the definition of The Church really is! That, however, is a subject for a later discussion.
It goes without saying that there are people who are unable to be in church because of physical problems, jobs requiring Sunday work, or many other situations. This conversation is not about them. It is clear that technology can be of great importance in ministering to these type people. The real issue is what ways can technology be used to reach a new group of people that think in different ways and have been raised in an environment that is much different than any environment in the history of the world.
Before I go on, let me give this warning - Technology is sinfully enticing - even in the church. Because this is true, we must remember that technology is only a means by which we interact with people concerning the Gospel. In a world of rapid technological advancement we will err if we fail to realize that technology is only a MEANS through which we do ministry. People are the heart and soul of any organization, especially a church. And, if we ever think that our great technology will replace the human interaction found only in the church - we are living in a dream world! Technology is not bad. It is not the demon of the New Age. But, seen only in and of itself, it has the potential of destroying the very heart and soul of a church. We must keep people in mind at every juncture of the technological dynamic.
We cannot afford to sacrifice people on the altar of technology.
Now, let me give you some examples of what I, and others, are thinking about when we talk of using technology to enhance ministry:
1. Our website is being redesigned to make it an outreach of ministry by allowing people to communicate easily with the pastor(s) through email, blogs, FaceBook, and other methods as they develop. To many young adults, these are primary ways they communicate in the world. You can also listen to recent sermons from your home or from anywhere in the world!!! Think of being able to share in the message of the sermon and immediately comment on it to the pastor, or share thoughts through FaceBook.
2. We have the ability to use video as part of our worship - right now. But, what ways can we use it to enhance (not degrade) worship? What would the addition of cameras provide us (such as having the sermon shown on video on our website or producing quality video from among our church members)? Could we share the worship service with a small congregation in some distant community that cannot afford a pastor, or even a church building, but would value a United Methodist worship service?
3. What possibilities exist for audio ministries such as podcasts, Bible studies, online chats, etc.? These might be available through our website and utilized by anyone interested in growing in Christ. If a family member is in the military or working far away, they could participate as easily as any of us here in Huron.
Our church (in particular) and all churches (in general) are poised on the brink of new and exciting times. Times that even the most astute futurists have difficulty visualizing. And yet we can be assured of one thing, with a clear picture of the environment in which we currently work and live; a well-thought out strategy that identifies were we want to go, and how we plan to get there; and fueled by a dynamo of people power like no nuclear reactor has ever seen - we will exploit technology as never before. And our church will be true to its mission.
Just Thinking. What do you think?
It goes without saying that there are people who are unable to be in church because of physical problems, jobs requiring Sunday work, or many other situations. This conversation is not about them. It is clear that technology can be of great importance in ministering to these type people. The real issue is what ways can technology be used to reach a new group of people that think in different ways and have been raised in an environment that is much different than any environment in the history of the world.
Before I go on, let me give this warning - Technology is sinfully enticing - even in the church. Because this is true, we must remember that technology is only a means by which we interact with people concerning the Gospel. In a world of rapid technological advancement we will err if we fail to realize that technology is only a MEANS through which we do ministry. People are the heart and soul of any organization, especially a church. And, if we ever think that our great technology will replace the human interaction found only in the church - we are living in a dream world! Technology is not bad. It is not the demon of the New Age. But, seen only in and of itself, it has the potential of destroying the very heart and soul of a church. We must keep people in mind at every juncture of the technological dynamic.
We cannot afford to sacrifice people on the altar of technology.
Now, let me give you some examples of what I, and others, are thinking about when we talk of using technology to enhance ministry:
1. Our website is being redesigned to make it an outreach of ministry by allowing people to communicate easily with the pastor(s) through email, blogs, FaceBook, and other methods as they develop. To many young adults, these are primary ways they communicate in the world. You can also listen to recent sermons from your home or from anywhere in the world!!! Think of being able to share in the message of the sermon and immediately comment on it to the pastor, or share thoughts through FaceBook.
2. We have the ability to use video as part of our worship - right now. But, what ways can we use it to enhance (not degrade) worship? What would the addition of cameras provide us (such as having the sermon shown on video on our website or producing quality video from among our church members)? Could we share the worship service with a small congregation in some distant community that cannot afford a pastor, or even a church building, but would value a United Methodist worship service?
3. What possibilities exist for audio ministries such as podcasts, Bible studies, online chats, etc.? These might be available through our website and utilized by anyone interested in growing in Christ. If a family member is in the military or working far away, they could participate as easily as any of us here in Huron.
Our church (in particular) and all churches (in general) are poised on the brink of new and exciting times. Times that even the most astute futurists have difficulty visualizing. And yet we can be assured of one thing, with a clear picture of the environment in which we currently work and live; a well-thought out strategy that identifies were we want to go, and how we plan to get there; and fueled by a dynamo of people power like no nuclear reactor has ever seen - we will exploit technology as never before. And our church will be true to its mission.
Just Thinking. What do you think?
Monday, March 2, 2009
I'm not giving anything up!
We are now 6 days into Lent after beginning with our Ash Wednesday service. When the people came down for the imposition of ashes and communion, I placed a cross on each individual's forehead and said, "Repent and believe the Gospel." This phrase is intended to challenge us to be true believers that live the gospel rather than just "mouth it."
This, then, causes me to think about how I want to live out my 40 days leading up to Easter. Do I want to give up something (like coffee, chocolate, Diet-Pepsi, etc.) and if so, what will that do to help me better live the Gospel in new and powerful ways. I have to admit, I have never been one to give something up for Lent. It just didn't seem to have any real meaning for me. I guess it could be seen as a sacrifice and we are identifying with Jesus' sacrifice. But it is hard for me to equate my thirst for a Diet-Pepsi with hanging on a cross thirsting for even a drop of water. Something just gets lost in translation for me.
What I want to do this Lent is concentrate on specific ways I can show Christ to others. It may be by visiting someone I have never visited (or don't really WANT to visit) and give a good word or share some food. It may be reading more scripture than I normally do so that I might be enlightened by the Spirit in ways I might otherwise miss. It might be that I am more intentional in my prayerlife, more generous in my giving, more loving in my actions. Maybe what I need to do differently this Lenten season is ALL OF THE ABOVE.
If I could get to Easter Sunday having experienced in some small way, how Jesus saw discipleship - I think it would be so much more meaningful than having given up a daily shot of caffeine. And, maybe - just maybe, rather than starting back up with the Diet-Pepsi on the day after Easter, a changed way of living and serving, might not stop at Easter Day but become a new standard operating procedure for my life.
Just thinking...
Pastor Don.
This, then, causes me to think about how I want to live out my 40 days leading up to Easter. Do I want to give up something (like coffee, chocolate, Diet-Pepsi, etc.) and if so, what will that do to help me better live the Gospel in new and powerful ways. I have to admit, I have never been one to give something up for Lent. It just didn't seem to have any real meaning for me. I guess it could be seen as a sacrifice and we are identifying with Jesus' sacrifice. But it is hard for me to equate my thirst for a Diet-Pepsi with hanging on a cross thirsting for even a drop of water. Something just gets lost in translation for me.
What I want to do this Lent is concentrate on specific ways I can show Christ to others. It may be by visiting someone I have never visited (or don't really WANT to visit) and give a good word or share some food. It may be reading more scripture than I normally do so that I might be enlightened by the Spirit in ways I might otherwise miss. It might be that I am more intentional in my prayerlife, more generous in my giving, more loving in my actions. Maybe what I need to do differently this Lenten season is ALL OF THE ABOVE.
If I could get to Easter Sunday having experienced in some small way, how Jesus saw discipleship - I think it would be so much more meaningful than having given up a daily shot of caffeine. And, maybe - just maybe, rather than starting back up with the Diet-Pepsi on the day after Easter, a changed way of living and serving, might not stop at Easter Day but become a new standard operating procedure for my life.
Just thinking...
Pastor Don.
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