Apologetics Redefined

Following the worship service at Dickie Doos Bar last Sunday night (see post on January 25th) Rev. Todd Jordan briefed me on the preparations Caldwell 1st U.M.C. is making for their revival beginning May 16th. Foremost on the list is taking out a half-page ad in the local paper. Ironically, the primary focus of this ad is not to specifically advertise the planned event to be held at the Burleson County Fairgrounds but rather to issue an apology to the community. During the hour-long trip back home that night it struck me just how badly an apology is due to so many of the communities that our churches serve. Allow me to explain:

15 years ago I was chair of the board of trustees in a fair-sized urban church in the Houston, South District. Because of my position I was named to serve on the newly-created Houston South Parish formed to consolidate the assets and remaining congregation at the closing of a smaller satellite church, Temple U.M.C. Since the membership had dwindled down to just a handful it sounded like a good idea on paper. But as an elected community leader bent on achieving social justice for the residents of our declining neighborhood I was inwardly outraged by what we as a connectional church were doing.

Although then-current census tract information revealed the highest population, lowest per-capita income, and the most single-parent households in the history of the neighborhood, we closed the doors to Temple U.M.C. Rather than reaching out in Christian love, lending a helping hand, or embracing the “least of these” when the mission fields there had been never more ripe for harvest, we pulled out, packed up, and sold out.

Today, 15 years later, Houston South Parish is a consolidation of 5 area churches all closed, save one. It grieves me deeply for having been a part of this history of events and I see it as a testament of our lack of faith as a church. I sincerely believe that as long as we continue to be unfaithful to our true calling as Christ’s disciples and to our Wesleyan roots as a church we will (rightly) continue our decline as a denomination.

Due to its commonplace in our connectional culture we have accepted church closure as a normal occurrence. What a travesty that is given our rich heritage for church-building and ministering to those in need wherever they are encountered. How can we turn this situation around? I believe that it really isn’t all that difficult to be the authentic church of Jesus Christ in today’s world. All you really need is a little faith, a congregational culture dedicated to ministry in their community, and a humble spirit for service. You might begin with an apology…