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"To know, grow and show the transforming love of God"

On the Journey...

Serving...

Changing...

Including...

Supporting...

Creating...

From the Pastor...

(From the August edition of the Sebastopol UMC newsletter, The Appleseed)

On the Journey

Dear Friends,

The last "Christian Century", a journal of the mainline Protestant churches, reported that the Presbyterian Church of America saw the steepest membership decline in 25 years in 2008, and that the membership of the Southern Baptist Church, a more fundamentalist denomination is likewise plummeting. If the rate of decline continues, the Southern Baptist Church is expected within 40 years to be only half the side it is now. Both evangelical and traditional congregations are suffering membership decline. Diana butler Bass was hired, by the (Eli) Lilly Foundation to research where congregations are thriving. Her research indicates that the broad pattern in the Christian Church is one of declining numbers, but every denomination, evangelical, fundamentalist, or other, has some local congregations that are thriving. Many thrive because they are responsive to their locale, to imitate the successes of a congregation in another locale has not been helpful. Methodist denominational leaders have been enthusiastic about adopting the strategies of Mega churches since the 1990's and our numbers have not grown. It seems rather that congregations are on their own as they seek to be "sustainable".

Mega churches appeal largely to those under 40 and often have few adults over 40 in worship. They may have grown because some people look for a peer community rather than an inter generational community.

Some growing congregations, even here in Northern California, reject gay and lesbians. Some suspect those congregations are growing because as the culture grows more accepting of gay and lesbian persons, that people who are not accepting seek out communities that reflect their views.

Diana Butler Bass says that the church is not dying but going through a shift. Others say the world has become more secularized following World War II and the church has had a hard time withstanding secularization (Sunday jobs, soccer games, Sierra Club hikes, etc.).

Some friends of mine who are Buddhist said they received a letter from Jack Kornfield (Spiritual Leader of one of the largest Buddhist Communities in the U.S.). The letter said their donations had declined by over 50% during the recession. We are fortunate that we are on track. Thanks to Susan K. for careful planning.

This is a challenging time for faith communities of every stripe. It is good to acknowledge that. It is also a good time to ask the questions, "What is precious to me about my faith? What is precious to me about being a part of this faith community? What is precious to me about the larger community around us?

I had so much response last week to my sermon on slowing down, that I have been asking myself the question "How do we live lives that are sustainable? How can and how does the church contribute to that sustainability, and not contribute to exhaustion? How can the church be a vehicle for sanity and balance in our lives, a vehicle for well being?" Jesus says "Come to me all who are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest?" The church is now the Body of Christ, Christ's representative in the world. How do we provide the rest? Sustainability? Well being? How does the church sustain us, give us meaning?

Mary B. recently shared something that spoke to these questions. She said "It has often been said that you can tell a lot about the health of a community by how it treats its oldest members." She followed up by saying that "Our church looks like a good community to grow old in." I know I am thankful to all those who have recently given rides to Aline G.

When I first became a Pastor here I was impressed by the number of people that were giving care to Deborah N. and the Neiferts. So it may also be a good community to be young in. Since that time I have seen many people do so much to care for their neighbor, through cards, rides and calls and prayers. That says something to me about sustainability.

On the other hand, our Sunday School teachers are flagging because there are not enough people who are willing to contribute time to our Sunday School program. They are weary. I wonder if there isn't something we can do to provide rest for our teachers?

And recently Susan K. said she was weary of doing finances with just the Pastor on the Finance Committee, and no members. In this edition of the Newsletter, Paul S. says the Trustees need more help with building maintenance. Are there ways we can restructure that can provide greater sanity, and sustainability? Are there things we can let go of, so that like Christ the people who come to us find not only meaning but rest for the soul?

Blessings, Pastor Judith

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