God is Doing a New Thing: a report from the ELCA

I just received a report from the ELCA mothership of all the congregations which withdrew, consolidated or disbanded from September, 2016 to December, 2017.  67 congregations:  23 consolidated, 17 withdrew or were removed (I have no idea what that means) and 27 disbanded.  Disbanded means the congregation has ceased to exist.  The church has closed.

I don't know what the numbers are telling us.  I do know that the future belongs to God.

We all know that the culture/society has shifted significantly.  As we tell our congregations, the church is lagging behind in finding forms that are effective in the current culture.  I am increasingly convinced that we are expending enormous energy to sustain an unsustainable model (one church-one pastor, everyone gets together at the same time in the same place, or even "I like these people and I don't want to get to know anyone new").

What we see is people moving forward, even if that means disbanding.  Of course, many members won't bother to be engaged with a faith community once their familiar/comfortable place no longer functions as it once did.  But then, many who can't imagine doing church a new way aren't actively committed to maintaining the congregation or deepening their faith life in the present culture either.

This is the church moving forward into an unknown future.  Many of us have experienced the struggle of making something new out of an old and entrenched structure.  We might need to let loose a whole army of bi-vocational church planters - those pastors (mostly younger because they are less tied to the old way) to simply begin again with a new model.  A  thousand apostle Pauls doing a new thing in the world. Those with a passion for the gospel along with the skills to support themselves in another field.

As for us full-time, fully compensated, health care benefits and all pastors, I think we will be a shrinking herd at least for a season. Perhaps our season has passed and God is doing a new thing among us.

I have always been taken by the Elijah story, after his showdown with the priests of Baal.  He's on that mountain and God is made known in the 'still small voice' or the 'sound of silence' and instead of comforting or empathizing (good pastoral technique) God asks, "What are you doing here?"

Perhaps this report is God's still small voice asking us the same questions and calling us to get back to doing the work of God, powered by the Spirit, but in new territory and along new roads.  Those roads might take us to a local restaurant for once weekly dinner church; or to a pub where beer helps people wrestle with difficult questions and scripture's teaching.  I vote for a coffee and conversation group for the deep confrontation with God's word and shared prayer.  Then let's light up one of our shared buildings, hire a magnificent organist and talented musicians and sing our hearts out in a large communion of believers.

I really don't know.  Every day I know less and less.....which means I am called to trust more and more.  These 67 congregations are God's people, and God is at work in their small towns and inner cities bringing new life.  What we see is the ground laid bare for a new planting.

Lord, bless us and keep us.  Increase our trust and strengthen our resolve.  Let us see your hand at work and to serve you by serving the people you love. You have scattered the seed of peace, forgiveness, reconciliation and generosity throughout the land in your people; now help us sprout and blossom where we are planted.  

I choose to call this report "God is Doing a New Thing" and I will not be afraid.