These churches you mention may not be a vital part of that mission today. I know the Brenham area in general is growing rapidly, but are the areas served by these churches growing? If not, perhaps your, and God's efforts should be focused on areas of growth, with many unchurched. If the only mission, today, of these churches is to minister to their parishioners, then perhaps it is not in the cards for them to be revived. You know these churches, and their hearts, and their willingness to fulfill the mission, so if I am missing the mark, just say so. But I think, today, with so many needs, and with the rural areas stagnating, perhaps combining these churches, or, sadly, letting them go, is a better answer. My only point here is that we must consider how we utilize our resources, of buildings, money, and wonderful caring people like yourself, in the light of our mission.
Blessings
1 comment:
Wow!
Thanks for sharing, Brother Pat. You're absolutely right in your perspective. Unfortunately, part of the natural life-cycle of a church is, well - death. I just have a hard time dealing with that when the population density around a given church has exploded 300% and the need for mission-based ministry within the community has grown to epidemic proportions. I think that that is a rather sad commentary of how we "do" church. You hit the nail square on the head when you said, "In some ways, nearly all United Methodist churches need a measure of salvation."
One of the historic churches I used as an example has dwindled down in membership (and up in age) to a level that it can no longer take care of itself, much less reasonable engage the community in discipleship. The church ajoins the Blinn College campus and the membership participates in a fledgling outreach program through the Wesley Foundation at that school. These efforts have been hampered by the West District curtailing funding for that ministry. In essence, the actions of the hieachal church only serves to exacerbate the efforts of an already declining congregation. It appears that, though our connectionalism, we seem to be driving nails into the coffins of our old churches rather than lending hand to revitalize them for the service we are all called to. Is that what we pay apportionments for?
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