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Dear
Saints:
January’s
The Lutheran magazine did some numbers crunching on ELCA
churches nationwide. What they reveal is interesting. Editor Daniel
Lehmann gives us the good news and the bad news (see page 4).
The good news is that 3,000 of our congregations are growing, the
majority of which are large churches (average weekly attendance of
801 or more). The bad news is that over 7,000 of our
congregations—those that worship 150 or less per week—are
in decline. The hard reality is that the ELCA as a whole has not done
well attracting and keeping new members. Over the last five years our
denomination has lost a staggering 275,000 members.
According
to writer Diana Dworin (in “Yes, Some ELCA Congregations are
Growing,” p. 12) there are many reasons why churches grow.
An obvious one is demographics. Churches that are located in growing
areas are more likely to grow than churches in non-growing areas. But
other things play into the mix—things like stretching beyond the
traditional Sunday morning fare, creating opportunities for Bible
study and prayer, having an active youth program, strong leadership,
and a clear sense of identity. Being evangelistically minded and
having a warm, caring, and inviting atmosphere are also important.
Then, too, growing churches embrace change—though not always easily.
In
spite of this, church growth experts remind us that there are no
fail-proof plans for growing congregations. Says Deborah Bruce, an
associate research manager with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.),
“The truth is, there’s no silver bullet” (p. 19).
And the pastor of Trinity Lutheran in Grand Rapids, MI, says there
isn’t an exact formula for his church’s growth, as far as
he can tell. “To me it’s a mystery sometimes and that, in
the end, is how the Spirit moves and works.” (P. 19).
I
want to shake this man’s hand. Sure, we can do a lot of things
to try and grow our church—and we should. Ultimately, however,
our growth—as well as our effectiveness—are dependent upon
God. “This is God’s church,” says the Rev. Anne
Kolmeier (Christ Lutheran of Elm Creek, TX), “and God has called
us here to this place. These things that happen, they just don’t
come from people. They come from God working through people—and
the Holy Spirit does wondrous things.” (P. 19).
In
a two-part sermon series earlier in the season of Epiphany, I
mentioned that you here at St. Matthew are doing a lot of good
things—and doing them well. So, give yourselves a pat on the
back—you deserve it! But there’s one other thing we should
be mindful of: to be listening for the Spirit, and willing to obey
when he calls us to ministry. If we are faithful in this little
thing then God, I’m confident, will bless us in our efforts this
year. “So neither the one who plants,” says Paul, “nor
the one who waters is anything, but only God who gives the
growth.” (1 Cor. 3:7, NRSV). Amen. So shall it be!
Grace
and peace,
Pastor
Larry |
