Tuesday, December 8, 2009
ReThink Church
The new focus of the United Methodist Church is calling us to "ReThink" church. It calls us to start thinking about ways to meet the needs of our ever growing cultural change. Phrases such as "post Christian period" - "seekers" - and "10Thousand doors" have become part of the regular conversation in congregational development. What do you see as the challenges of this shift in congregational ministry? Having been in active pastoral ministry for over 30 years I have seen the change take place in the shrinking of the mainline denominations. Yet, I read the statistics and see the overwhelming numbers of unchurched/seekers who are drifting - looking for a faith connection. One of the outstanding concerns I have personally is how to interpret the need to be more open in our style of ministry without losing the integrity of the Word of God. How to nurture the present congregation and enable them to reach out into the commnity with the actions of Christ.
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I love this campaign. I think it's high time we did re-think Church. I heard a pastor talk about how there are two kinds of communities we should be serving - the believers and the seekers. He thought that the believers ought to be serving the seekers - that the services for the seekers should be held at the most convenient time for them with the believers taking the times less convenient. Now, how do you think that would go over?
ReplyDeleteTo look at or rather define the purpose of church is a good place to start. Is the church's purpose to help the seekers find answers to their questions? Is the church's purpose to help the believers strengthen their faith? Is the church there to stroke the egos of faithful?
ReplyDeleteIs it possible for a single church to do all of the above?
If the seekers get the most convenient service times what is to say the will attend? If the believers get a less convenient time will they stop attending?
Seekers will need more encouragement than a convenient service time. They will need a satisfaction guarantee. Believers could easily be lead a stray if s/he feels insignificant.
One basic human need is to feel important. To feel as though our presence makes a difference in the lives of others, no matter how small. If a church community can successfully make everyone in the pews meet this basic human need, they will have standing room only in their sanctuary.
I am a seeker and I am NOT looking for satisfaction guaranteed. And it saddens me to think a believer will stray if they feel insignificant . I do not need a guarantee or to feel significant . I already know i am significant and only i can guarantee myself satisfaction . I just am looking for a place to thank God for all i have and help others
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