Rebuilding the Church: Is It Worth it?
I’ve been following the daily blog of Pastor Jon Swanson, 300 Words a Day. This week he has been retelling the momentous story of the rebuilding of the temple in Jerusalem, told by Nehemiah. The story is gripping — all the more because it cuts to the “Why?” of ministry.
- Why look upon destruction that is so vast that no one bothered to clean it up much less rebuild it.
- Why cry for it?
- Why, when given the opportunity, petition a foreign king for permission to rebuild?
- Why face the opposition that you know is plotting against you for daring to organize efforts to make things better?
- Why record the details of the work crews that rebuilt each gate and wall?
- Why be bothered? No one else seems to care!
Perhaps today’s church needs some of Nehemiah’s passion.
We have become very brazen about the state of our church. Attendance down? Oh, well. It’s time for ministry to die. Is attendance down in 90% of a region’s churches? It’s just a sign of the times.
The quote from church leadership should be alarming:
Congregations that will die within the next ten years should receive the least amount of time and attention. They should receive time that assists them to die with celebration and dignity. Offer these congregations a ‘caretaker’ pastor who would give them quality palliative care until they decide to close their doors. It is the kind of tough-minded leadership that will be needed at the helm if your organization is to become a Transformational Regional Body.” — Transforming Regional Bodies, by Claire S. Burkat and Roy Oswald, a guidebook used to train leaders of regional bodies
The most troubling part of this quote is the time frame. Ten years! In the Lutheran Church that’s almost two terms for a bishop.
Our regional leaders are encouraged to stand by, implementing a ten-year plan to DO NOTHING (and get paid for it).
A ten-year time frame is enough time to revitalize a ministry, to rebuild its foundation. But the plan advised to leaders of regional bodies is to help only the churches with a proven cache of money. Go where the work seems easiest.
Church leaders need to reread Nehemiah until they can shed tears for the temples within their charge. There can be no dignified celebration of church closings when the closings have been brought about by designed neglect. (Click to Tweet)
This trend continues in the church unquestioned because the blame is placed on the people with the least voice or sway — the lay people. Wisdom of church leaders should not be questioned. Regard for their professional status outweighs regard for lay volunteers.
When we are busy protecting church leadership, we forget to ask the “why” questions. Why are we here in the first place? Why does anyone care?
It is time for this to change.