They aren’t coming back…

Friends,

This summer was a blog post circulating around many clergy types on Facebook entitled something like, “They Aren’t Coming Back.” It began with the observation that many of us have been noticing the during COVID many people seemed to have faded away from active church life, and sadly, the indications are that most of them won’t be back, at least not until they are good and ready or feel the need. Over the years, I have read many articles and studies about church membership decline. Most cite reasons like “church life seems out of touch with the rest of life,” “the worship isn’t moving me like it once did,” “there are too many events vying for my attention...” The list goes on and on. Most of these articles, and books, spend a great deal of time describing what’s wrong with us, and precious little on how to “fix the problem.” Actually, they do offer advice, usually obvious and generic solutions that aren’t very helpful in the long run like, “Worship seems stale? Jazz it up.” “People not feeling fed? Start a vital Bible study.” (Gee, I’m so glad they told me. I never would have thought of that!) Sorry to be snarky, but after 35+ years of reading such articles, my patience with them has grown pretty thin. I am tired of reading about what’s wrong with the Church and focusing on what we don’t have, even more so now during this pandemic. Yes, the reality is that Trinity, like nearly all congregations, now has a smaller active fellowship, not including our live-streamers, than we had 1 1/2 years ago. I refuse, however, to focus on who’s not here or what we don’t have, but instead focus on what IS here and happening, and also on the opportunities that are before us. Go back and read the stories of Jesus feeding the multitudes. Mark 6:30-44, Mark 8:1-10, and then the conclusion in Mark 8:14-21. In each of these stories the disciples were focused on what they didn’t have and what they were convinced was impossible. Over and over, Jesus defied their limited expectations as a way of urging them to trust in his power to make good things happen to those who trust him. This is our calling as a church. Let us stop looking at what we don’t have, but focus on both what we do have, and what God can make happen with God’s trusting disciples. This, by the way, will be the theme of our upcoming stewardship/pledge campaign this fall. We will celebrate the abundance in our midst, and in faithfulness aim to embrace the next opportunity that God puts in our path no matter what we think we do or don’t have. As a Dickens’ fan, allow me to say let us live with “Great Expectations” for the Spirit abides in us and is cheering us on. As Jesus told his disciples, “Truly, I tell you, the one who trusts in me will also do the works that I do and, in fact, will do greater works than these, because I am returning to God.” John 14:12