Read: Luke 4:1-13 and Luke 5:1-11 and Matthew 5:13-16
Listen: Reflection from the Turnaround Church Workshop, part one and part two
Dig a little deeper:
The workshop that 6 of us attended this weekend was called the Turnaround Church Workshop. The point was to talk about how we can be in the 20% of churches that are growing rather than in decline.
Here is a song that was played at the end of the groups reflection to remember that this isn't a numbers game this is about inviting people to our community so that together we can "let the light shine." Together, we can work to bring about a better world-- to heal the broken-hearted among us and around us.
Some interesting statistics we learned:
- 17% of the US population is worshiping in Sunday mornings (18% in Wisconsin!)
- More than 80% of US churches are in numerical decline
- 87% of people who come to church and stay do so because they were INVITED
- 73% of people who have never gone to church say they have never been invited
Questions:
Eventually, we'd like to have a discussion outside of worship about some of what we learned, so that we can share but also get feedback instead of in the context of a sermon/message which is only one-sided. Stay tuned for some information on when that discussion will take place.
For now, I have a few questions--
1. Why do you think the church is in decline?
2. If you are a part of a church community, how did you get there? If you aren't, what would it take to get you to come to worship?
3. Worship attendees-- is there anything else you want me to add to this blog? I'm trying to keep it short and sweet, but please feel free to add thoughts in the comments!
I think the church has been in decline because
ReplyDelete1. People either don't view it as vital to their faith journey, or don't believe in the need to have a spiritual self that transcends their busy, secular lives.
2. The church, while acknowledging that humanity is broken, has done a poor job of addressing the challenges in people's personal lives. And, while Jesus was the ultimate advocate of social justice, the church is too timid to delve into political issues, leaving public-policy discussions as they relate to political priorities to the secular world.
So self-absorbed is the church that it cannot break through to a flock that is overwhelmed by competing voices more in tune with their needs, challenges and hopes.
Ironically, the church's own quest for self-preservation has lead to a theological timidity, banishing it to increasing irrelevancy.
The challenge of the church is to either be relevant in applying scripture to contemporary issues, or to make way for those churches that have figured it out.