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Is the United Methodist Church really in decline? It depends on who you talk to. Most say we are in decline because of the loss of membership and worship attendance. If the goal is to get people in our church then we have failed. It is not because we haven’t tried to attract people to our churches. Over the past twenty years I have seen church programs come and go, all promising to strengthen or grow the church. There is no doubt that these programs have impacted the lives of many, including my own. However, I wonder, if we didn’t do a good job implementing the programs or if it was the programs themselves. I do know that most are not lasting and our overall statistics indicate that programs can't grow a church.
I have been part of Alpha Courses, VBS, New Sunday School classes, Small Groups, Contemporary Worship Teams, Forty Days of Purpose, Prayer of Jabez groups, Walk to Emmaus, Promise Keepers, Marriage Encounter, Disciple Bible Studies, Lay Witness Missions, and Revival Services. I have revamped youth groups, started Kids Clubs and directed and taken many youth to camp. I have experienced redistricting, restructuring, and rearranging of worship times to include times other than Sunday Morning. I have participated with the Igniting Ministry television commercials by purchasing banners and posters and advertising in the bulletin when they would be airing. I spent hours in the early 90's making phone calls and stuffing envelopes in a telemarketing church growth plan. I have added screens, projectors, guitars, new restrooms, updated nurseries, expanded parking lots, put up signs, and given away pies, mugs and meals to newcomers. I have put my faith in the computer by convincing my churches that by getting on the internet, setting up websites, using email, buying the right kind of software and using databases, our church would grow. All while trying to hang on to some chips. While I can't speak for others I have done just about everything to attract people to the churches that I have served except build a "family life center". While all of these programs are touted as successes by those who endorse them and while some individual churches did see some growth, most have not and overall we are still in decline. Perhaps I am an ineffective pastor, as I have led 5 churches, all grew under my watch however, today two churches have closed the other three are in decline. Obviously, anything that was accomplished on my watch has not lasted. Is it possible that God’s goal is not more people in the church but more people out. Check back here for part two. |
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