Sunday, August 13, 2006
Where to Draw the Line
Lately I have been filling the pulpit at a church on Sunday mornings. It is a church that is dying, both figuratively and literally. I went into this knowing only that it was a small church unable to support a full time pastor so I really didn't know what to expect. On a good day, I preach to 12 people including women and children (actually, there is only one other male other than me and he is in his mid 70's). Their plan is to disband in the next few months and they would like me to stick with them until they do so. So, today I got to church and Joe said that he was sorry and that only one of the 5 main regulars was going to show up and even she was questionable (they had various reasons that were relatively legit). Joe barely got the sentence out without breaking down. Joe was born into that church and has been serving faithfully throughout his whole life. Anyway, the one other elderly woman showed up and then one more. Joe said to me, Aileen, and Dorthy that I shouldn't waste my sermon on just the three of them and wait til next week for the rest of the crew. Here's what I've been thinking about all day... How few is too few and is there such a thing as a "wasted" sermon on anyone? I know the simplistic answer, when two or three are gathered... but I am looking for something deeper. I have friends who feel that preaching to a small handful of dying people is crazy and wouldn't do it, possibly legitimately so. Most everything inside me says that these people, regardless of how painful it might be, need to call it a day and throw in the towel now. However, there is one little part of me that wonders if I (or we) tend to dismiss people and churches like this out of pride and arrogance. Honestly, isn't it a waste of time and giftedness? Shouldn't someone like me be preaching to at least an average sized church? I have preached in a church of 2000, today, it was a church of about two (and I didn't end up preaching at all, which worked out because Joe said with great sadness that he couldn't pay me this week anyway on account of a large gas bill and an insurance payment). In the midst of growth strategy and mega-churches, have we become calloused to the least of these? Where is the line between pride and good stewardship with the resources God entrusts us (not to mention this churches limited resources)?
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11 comments:
When I was in 6th grade, I was the only one who would show up on a regular basis to the junior high Sunday School class at church. Every time, the man who was the teacher would do the full lesson as if the class was packed. He could have easily said, "no thanks, I'll save it for when someone besides the poor, chubby, redhaired girl with glasses shows up." But he saw that I was there, and that instead of going to McDonalds (like the other kids did since it was next door), God had me in that room for a reason. His name was Gene Rumfelt, and he was one of the best Sunday School teachers I ever had. I hope he never felt like it was a waste, because it wasn't. I have remembered this often when working with youth that my call is to be there for whoever shows up and to never say we'll wait until the other people show up. God says his word will not go out and return void, so how can it be a waste to share it? I admire your willingness to be there for these people in this dire situation. They need the encouragement that they are a precious and relevant part of Christ's body.
Thanks Dawn. That was very cool. I think alot of people would say that it's worth it for something like a trendy small house church, but not for something like your Sunday school class or the church I mentioned.
So how about this? How do you know a church is growing?
Is it the number of people that show up on Sunday? People want to be around Contagious Christians, right? So if people are growing closer to God and living that in their lives, the numbers should go up, right? And conversely, if the people are not living obedient lives, the numbers go down and the church is not growing.
or does that seem a little too simple for God?
I'm not sure that a healthy church is capable of not growing. If it is truly healthy and serving its purpose in the world, then it should be transforming lives. The only reasons I can think of it not growing is because of population (everybody's there) or a Jeremiah situation. So, I tend to agree with you Herb. However, what about the remnant of that dying church. You and I both know how hard it is to "climb the latter" in a new church just to use your gifts. What about Joe who has a few years left but still wants to be involved in ministry?
I'm feeling kind of cynical about church lately, so it may cloud my view. But, I don't know why some people go to church. I don't think it is necessarily to be around contagious christians. There is a church here that is huge, very seeker focused, and I think people initially go there to be entertained. But, is there fruit, evidence of growth? Or do people just keep going there because the pastor dresses like Keanu Reeves and preaches sermons about the matrix while the kids go down a slide to chilren's church?
I probably wouldn't go to a church where the pastor dresses like Keanu. Slater or Zach, now that's a different story.
Sorry, I must not have been using enough emoticons in my post! Most of my comments were meant to be tongue in cheek....
I agree that a healthly church grows. But what I get sick and tired of hearing is when a church of 500 goes down to 490, it is not growing. Or when a church of 500 goes to 502, it is not growing enough!
I would rather attend a church that is serious about faith and goes deep, but only adds a couple of dozen people a year rather than some church with explosive growth but where people just slink in and out and no one connects with anyone else... but hell, at least our numbers are up!!!!! That should make the board happy and give them a reason to "bless" the head pastor with a nice big raise!
I actually did catch your sarcasm but what you said did have some roots. I think, when all is said and done, "growth" is deep and wide (to quote one of my favorite kids tunes). If there is not a depth to the community, then why show up but at the same time, I think people are drawn to that authenticity and depth. However, there is no set time frame on that occurence. I think the numbers thing is silly as well (as a foundational measuring rod). Lately I have been thinking about this... A numerically large church does not indicate a healthy church but a healthy church will have numerical growth because that is in its nature (of course, there are exceptions).
Hello,
I just stumbled acrossed your blogspot, via a couple of other people's spots. Anyway, I find this topic rather interesting and worth pondering. I will say this for sure. My grandpa sat in a "dying" church for years and years and it wasn't until a Promise Keepers rally that he gave his heart over to Jesus at the age of 75. Now was it because the PK rally was huge in numbers? growing and producing fruit? or rather was it just a different approach the Holy Spirit used to captivate his heart? I would say the latter. You may not realize it, but these people you serve are receiving something new/fresh from you and you may not see the fruit just yet, but I'm sure it's there.....that is, if you love Jesus and all
I see what you are doing, Matt, as sitting at the deathbed. At Mercy, in the end, we brought on a pastor that we thought was going to help "save us", but in the end, we realized that God's purpose was for him to walk through the process of dying. I see this as your role. There surely is good purpose for you being the one to walk them down this path. I think it's a beautiful scene.
Thanks Kelli. I think you are right. They, at least Joe, asked me to stick with them until they disband (1 to 3 months from now). The difficult part of last Sunday was that he would believe that a sermon would be wasted on only two people. It may not be galmorous or an ego booster, but there is no way that it is a waste.
Angie, I appreciate your thoughts and am happy for your grandfather. Part of my frustration is that there are so many churches and pastors who completly fail in drawing people to Jesus. How on earth did they get to be pastors when there are many genuine, talented, Christ loving people waiting for an oppertunity.
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