Who Stole My Church?

Don't worry. No one really did. That's the title of a book by pastor Gordon MacDonald which addresses issues that have come up in recent years as churches have tried to design their ministries in such a way that they will develop a look and feel of relevance and have an appeal to younger generations. MacDonald creates a fictional account of a church where many older and dedicated members deal with mixed feelings as the choir is replaced by a praise band, the youth no longer dress in their "Sunday best," the pipe organ is no longer used and a rift had developed in the fellowship because many people felt out of place and uncomfortable in a church where they had once felt at home.

MacDonald's account is very much representative of the way many people feel about their church today, and of what has happened as churches strive for cultural relevance, evangelism and outreach to a rapidly changing population. We have members here who have experienced and expressed similar feelings, as the cultural and demographic changes that have come to our community have affected the way we do ministry, and as we have made some major changes in our methods, particularly in worship and discipleship ministries, in order to find a path to effectiveness in ministry.

These issues are really nothing new. The church has been dealing with them for most of its existence. MacDonald's approach is to encourage the church to be what it is called to be in the scripture, taking note of the fact that a church is a "Biblical" community, and the instructions for establishing and operating what is the local Body of Christ are all found there. Change in ministry approach and setting a course for effectiveness and relevance is therefore a matter of determining what is non-negotiable according to the scripture, not according to popular culture, and then once that determination has been made, all options are open.

The consumer philosophy that has permeated our whole culture has caused churches to base ministry decisions purely on appeal. Knowing that people choose to attend a church based on what that church has to offer them, churches change their whole approach to ministry by developing a cafeteria buffet of ministries designed to convince prospective members that all of their family's needs will be met. It is costly in terms of resources, including money and time, has led to an increase in the number of professional "ministers" churches employ, but it is considered necessary to "attract" people who have high expectations regarding what they need to get from their church experience. That is the logical approach, but it is not found anywhere in the scripture.

According to the New Testament, Christians are to follow the leadership of the Holy Spirit, and be sensitive to where God wants them to be. It is a matter not only of being obedient, but of giving of yourself. The Holy Spirit has given each Christian a unique set of spiritual gifts designed to fit with the other gifts that other members of the church have received in order to work together in harmony and unity. So the question Christians need to ask when they are determining which body of Christ to which they need to belong is, "What can I do for the ministry of this church?"

When the body works together in harmony in this manner, it is God who takes care of the details. If a church is doing ministry as they have been led, and in a way in which they have determined, by consensus, is God's will, then they do not have to worry about attracting younger people or competing with other churches for the attention of families. Instead of swapping members who are already Christians with other churches, they grow by evangelism.

If that's the way the church is organized and operating, then the sense of alienation that is often felt by long time members never has a chance to develop. Instead of dividing up into groups like gold miners staking out their share of the claim on the creekbank, the church functions like a community, which is what God indended. Senior adults, who don't understand the cultural changes that have taken place in society, do not have to feel alienated and disoriented by what they see happening to the church that they love dearly and to which they have given so much of their lives. They should be honored and respected, as the scriptures instruct, and instead of being seen as obstacles to progress, they become partners in ministry. And the church, instead of fighting to stay alive through a slow decline, becomes a place of celebration and joy as people are brought into the Kingdom.

As always, it is a matter of listening to, and following, the Holy Spirit, and of not leaning on our own understanding. Sometimes, the ways of God are a mystery to us.