THE GROWING EMPHASIS ON THE NEED FOR CHURCH GROWTH TODAY

At the outset I know full well that what follows here will be given a short shift by the majority of Wrights Lane readers because "church-related" items simply do not turn the average person's crank any more than actual church attendance itself in this day and age. Nevertheless, I pursue this subject because it exemplifies a fairly-recent and interesting (to me at least) entrepreneurial movement aimed at churches struggling to stay alive in a rapidly growing ecumenical environment. 

The above post(er) was shared on a friend's Facebook church group page and it immediately triggered mixed emotions within me. 

My first impulse was that this simplified snippet and statement lacked necessary elaboration, i.e. "Says Who...?" Followed by what I thought was misuse of the word "passion" which has troubling connotations. Furthermore, I worry that churches that become glorified social service agencies lose their call to grow in spiritual maturity...and at the expense of those faithful "few" who have kept the physical church alive to this point.

While offering food for thought, I contend that a passion for people in and of itself, is very dangerous. But on the other hand, when you understand the nature of the gospel, the shape of the early church, the mood and tone of the apostles themselves, and the vision of God for his world, it isn’t possible to live without a passion to actually see churches grow.

Of course, my reality today can be complicated when twinned with the old-school Christian traditionalist who feels all-too-comfortable in the insular church introduced to me as a child of the 1940's...A warm almost awe-inspiring sanctuary to be regularly visited on Sabbath mornings dressed in your go-to- meetin' best. I confess to still deriving comfort from sitting in a hard, sometimes cold pew; the reading of scripture, familiar hymns and memories complete with ghosts from generations past.

Sadly, youth of today know nothing of any of that. And who is to blame?

I was particularly conscious of all this after attending a worship service this past Sunday that drew 18 congregants, seven of which were members of the choir. Of that number 85 percent were over 65 years of age. This on top of news that three struggling small community congregations in the nearby area were coincidentally holding closing services that very week.

To advocate the closing of a church, regardless of circumstances, is surely to disappoint God. I think it is that sentiment that worries most people.

It is sad to be privy to the demise of anything or anyone. Having grieved the passing of all-too-many immediate loved ones, I know the signs of immanent death when exposed to them. I also understand the impulse to hang on for dear life, until the will to live inevitably gives out. In time, we all reach a point of no return. Such is the case with aging churches today. God bless those tired souls who cling to the traditional church because, well -- they know no other way.

Carey Nieuwhof, Barrie

All of which takes me back to the "churches that become passionate about people outside their walls," pronouncement. My curiosity was drawn to the fine-print "Carey Nieuwhof" credit line accompanying the wording in the subject post. Carey Nieuwhof, I discover, is the founding pastor of Connexus Community Church, a growing and on the surface thriving multi-campus church located in Barrie, Orillia and Midland. Surprisingly close to home as it turns out.

Nieuwhof is author of several bestselling books, blogs, podcasts, and speaks to church leaders around the world about leadership, change, and personal growth. He is a graduate of Osgoode Hall Law School and also holds degrees in history and theology. He was called to the Bar of Ontario in 1993 and then left law to pursue ministry. He, wife Toni and two sons live near Barrie.

Typical of how things find their way into the realm of social media, this particular attribution to Nieuwhof was circulated by the Community Clergy Coaching Network in the U.S. with the cautionary note: "If you are uncomfortable with posts coming from a variety of points of view (conservative, moderate and liberal), this may not be the page for you."

It seems that posts carried by CCCN come from a variety of theological perspectives and seek to address the challenges and opportunities facing communities, clergy, congregations and lay leaders in the 21st. century. Similar innovative endeavors have sprung up this past decade and are actually charging a fee to deliver progressive ideas to struggling churches. It really is a whole new world and approach to marketing evangelism.

This is what I uncovered Carey Nieuwhof saying on the future of churches: "Almost every leader I talk to acknowledges that our culture is shifting. To reach a changing culture, the church needs to change. Rapidly.

"Don’t get me wrong, we don’t need to change the message. Just the method. One is sacred. The other is not" he hastens to add.

"What isn’t as clear is what the future church will look like, and what kind of characteristics will mark those churches. However, I think a few trends are becoming clear...Wise leaders are taking steps today to position their churches to respond to these things. I know that’s what I’m trying to do at Connexus, where I have the privilege of serving."

Here's how he expands on the aforementioned 'Churches that become passionate about people outside their walls will be far more effective than churches that are passionate about keeping the few people they have inside their walls': "Better still," he adds, "You will have a healthier church. We call individuals who are fixated on their wants and needs selfish and immature. Selfless and mature churches will have an impact because of their passion for people God cares about."

There, he got it right that time..."Passion for people God cares about," presumably the needy, the unchurched and youth looking for meaning in life.

"Churches in decline often think in terms of what they can get from people – money, time, growth etc. Churches that will make an impact on the future will be passionate about what they want for people – financial balance, generosity, the joy of serving, better families, and of course, Christ at the center of everyone’s life."

He has little "passion" for older church members who are inflexible to change and consequently detrimental to growth.

On the subject of online communications he further suggests that churches that aren't beyond a website are going to miss the boat. "Real interaction with real people online is…well…real. Sure, face to face is deeper, but people will tell you things online they can’t muster the courage to tell you face to face. Whether you get them to a ‘real’ church is increasingly debatable. I would love that. But we’ll have to see. As much as you might hate it, virtual relationships are becoming real relationships."

So there you have it. Carey Nieuwhof is only one person but he is indicative of a new era in aggressive, outward-bound churching that is unfolding.  Some of us, meantime, would do well to heed to the words of Apostle Paul in speaking to the Galatians: “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” 

All of which may come too little, too late for long-in-the-tooth congregations too frail and insufficient in numbers to correct past errors and to make the necessary transition into the future.

When the little church of a couple of dozen individuals (on a good Sunday) that I adhere to decides to close its doors for one last time, that will be when I choose to no longer attend church. If nothing else, it will be a good excuse to sleep in on Sunday mornings.

What does that tell you about me as the twilight hovers?

While life goes on and ultimately changes, it ends for those of us who eventually fall out of step -- it's as simple as that. 

Suffice for we oldtime churchgoers to come away with the satisfaction that in our antiquity we did our best in serving fellow man at home and abroad -- and giving humbly what we could to the glory of God. We did, didn't we?