January 2012

2×2 with its interest in the Church and Social Media has been pondering content creation for congregations.

We recognize it is a challenge especially for small congregations. How can you find something worth writing about two or three times per week?

Sharing content is one method of filling your blog, but if every church did this, all church blogs would be the same and there would be little advantage. You can always share content from 2×2 (just give us credit and link).

However, there MUST be something unique about your congregation’s web presence. Someone in your church is going to have to develop content or find people willing to contribute to your congregation’s blog. Sounds like a big job.

We have an idea that may help.

Beginning this coming Friday, once a month, 2×2 will publish monthly content ideas. We’ll start with February. The list will give your congregation and its Social Media Committee some idea starters. You can take it from there!

We hope 2×2’s monthly list of content ideas will be seeds for you to develop you own content and voice and internet outreach ministry.

Now we’ll get back to work. Hmmm. February. Where do we start?

Dr. King, as he is always addressed in Philadelphia . . .  never just “King,” had some thoughts that are being shared on the internet today.

His words still honor him and motivate us. They speak loudly to the people of 2×2 and Redeemer in the East Falls neighborhood of Philadelphia, who have experienced injustice, greed, materialism and modern-day racism at the hands of our denominational leaders.

We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing-oriented” society to a “person-oriented” society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism, and militarism are incapable of being conquered.

Change does not roll in on the wheels of inevitability, but comes through continuous struggle. And so we must straighten our backs and work for our freedom. A man can’t ride you unless your back is bent.

On some positions, Cowardice asks the question, “Is it safe?” Expediency asks the question, “Is it politic?” And Vanity comes along and asks the question, “Is it popular?” But Conscience asks the question “Is it right?” And there comes a time when one must take a position that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must do it because Conscience tells him it is right.

 The saving of our world from pending doom will come, not through the complacent adjustment of the conforming majority, but through the creative maladjustment of a nonconforming minority.

It is sad but fitting that a great American leader, named for the founder of our denomination, can still remind us of the values we preach but often fail to practice.

Will today make a difference?

2×2 is embarking on a new project. 2×2 grew from a highly contentious church closing in Philadelphia. In the last two years, we’ve heard many stories of “congregational takeovers” in several denominations. The stories need to be told, but they are not likely to be adequately covered by denominational press. The topic deserves more in-depth consideration than the secular press has carried.

Secular courts have a difficult time crossing the First Amendment Separation of Church and State Clause to truly evaluate church disputes. So be it. That’s America. But the First Amendment guarantees other rights to Americans as well. The press is protected and freedom of speech is protected. There is no reason for these topics to remain hushed or controlled by the denominations any longer. The internet is a medium we can all use. The voices of congregations can be heard.

We are embarking on the creation of video diaries and perhaps a full-scale documentary of how hierarchical decisions impact neighborhoods and the lives of disenfranchised members. We will probe motivations and explore outcomes and look for alternative ways to meet the challenges of small church ministries. We are interested in the stories of congregations that have gone down this road many years ago as well as current closure attempts.

We hope that an honest appraisal will help prompt more compassionate treatment from church hierarchies and solutions to problems that hold neighborhoods and the faith of the laity in the high regard they deserve. If you’d like your voice to be heard, please contact us. Confidentiality, if desired, can be protected.

We are going to start by creating 3-minute videos of individual stories. As we collect data, we will combine the stories into longer footage.

Please contact us via this web site if you know of a congregation willing to share their story. Denominations are welcome to contribute as well.

We hear a lot about measuring church viability. How depressing! It prompts you to look for flaws to the point that even the evaluators are gasping for breath. When you are concentrating on viability you are always measuring yourself against others. It becomes self-defeating.

But what if you measured vitality instead? We visited a church denominational web site which used this word on very page. It was uplifting. They were measuring all the good things small congregations had going for them — enough to make anyone want to join. There was a definite sense that the denomination valued and cared about their small congregations.

Let’s start measuring the great things small churches have going for them. Great community and committed lay workers may lead the list. Hospitality and inclusiveness are other small church plusses. Small churches are in a unique position to try new things. Go for it! Celebrate who you are and quit trying to emulate bigger congregations.

Here’s a motivational list to help you build your confidence and ministry.

1. Network! Find other people and organizations who share your values and passions. Some may be religious. Others may be secular. But they are all likely to have positive energy which is contagious. They can be healthy partners to small congregations.
2. Don’t make decisions based on “but we can’t” rational. Look for what you “can” do. You may be stronger and more capable than you think. Try. Push the envelope. Weigh what is best for you and your ministry. Act boldly.
3. Find ways to build your congregational confidence. Start small if necessary. If you are too small to support a choir, advertise that you are looking for a trio! If you can’t hold a big event, start with some smaller events. Celebrate each accomplishment.

Remember, God loves you the way you are! There is power in remembering that.

The Church has experienced a decade or more of decline. That means that if it is doing its job many new Christians are coming to know religion as adults. They have no experience in Sunday School, Vacation Church School, family tradition, or years as part of a worshiping community.

Teaching “church” to adults can be a challenge. New Christians can have passion but the foundation can be shaky.

One new young adult member was very passionate. Out came the Bible in every meeting venue. He flipped through the Bible with ease and found answers to every question facing the community. He became increasingly frustrated that older members did not respond to his approach. “It’s in the Bible!” Passion grew with frustration. He flipped even faster through the Old Testament and found all the passages revealing a vengeful God. He became more and more critical of other members. Worship became a target. “You need to spend more time on your knees and less time singing,” he declared. The entire church was beginning to walk on eggshells. A member, at last, took him aside and walked him through the worship service. “We start every service on our knees,” he pointed out. He showed him the progression of a typical liturgical service from confession to absolution, to hearing God’s word culminating in the message of God’s love in the New Testament, to our responses of praise, to the prayers for the whole people of God, to the benediction and sending of worshipers into the world to serve. He delivered several hours of catechism in a ten-minute discussion. It may have been too late to satisfy this seeker’s religious needs.

How do congregations, eager for new members, introduce the newly initiated into the complex world of religion? How do we help them grow in faith at a pace that will foster love and service without frustrating them and the community of believers?

“That’s easy,” might be the answer for larger churches. You hold new member training. But smaller churches are getting by with minimal commitment of clergy — often with pastors who do little more than lead worship. If we are to welcome adults into church all churches must consider a plan for initiating new members into church life.

We’ll explore this topic and welcome input from readers.