Notable Presbytery News
APRIL
Hope
in a Time of Change
January, 2008
We’re not in Kansas anymore!
I invited presbyters present at the January Presbytery meeting to
think together about the changes that confront the church these days.
The following is unscientific, anecdotal, and certainly not inclusive.
The list represents perceptions and experiences of those who participated
in the exercise. What follows are the words of the participants which
I have attempted to organize topically.
The list does offer grist for the mill as we think about what adaptive
challenges the church will face in this 21st century.
“No expectation that people know what church is.”
“
Little ‘automatic respect’ for the institution of the church
today”
“
Religious pluralism—church isn’t the only game in town.”
“
Church without community—individualized religion; God - lifestyle
converge”
“ Dwindling numbers”
“ Can worship God anywhere”
“ Consumer-like shopping for churches”
“ Church and culture are separated, even opposed”
“ Spirituality over organized religion”
“ Church is less of a social event”
“ Failing to go back to the basics”
“ The church is affected by everything in the world.”
“ Churches are less denominational”
“ Church is not the locus of community”
“
Music—more forms available”
“ Lay pastors”
“ Women pastors”
“ Use of manse vs. owning a home”
“ Aging buildings”
“ Old properties that suck resources”
“ Casual dress”
“Increasing median age”
“
Young not interested in church as much—interested more in relationships
and mission”
Younger members do not want to commit or pledge as much”
“
Cell phone generation wants things done rapidly—faster pace”
“ The population is skewing older—
worship styles different for different age groups
church’s mean age has increased”
“ A young generation with not much hope for the way things are”
“Access to information”
“ Technology”
“ Internet”
“ How people communicate is different”
“
Technology—communications”
“
The way we communicate—e mail no writing”
“
Communication—computer, cell phone”
“ Change in communication”
“We are nurturing and worshipping our buildings
more than our people”
“ Values-Expectations”
“
Younger parents try to be children’s friends”
“ Lack of Sabbath mentality”
“
Sound bytes—lack of desire to study Bible”
”School sports/Sundays”
“ Kids sports games on Sundays
“
Fast moving world—no time”
“
Long work weeks—no Sabbath”
“ Sports events on Sunday morning”
“ Sports before church”
“ Increased competition for Sunday morning attention”
“Changes in demographics”
“ Make up of population”
“
Hostile atmosphere—neighbors”
“Housing costs”
“ Financial constraints”
“ Increased economic disparity”
“
Income gap—rich/poor”
“ Women now work outside the home”
“ Cost of oil”
“
Cost of living—ability to afford a pastor”
“The global community—yet, poor connections
in local communities.”
“
The world is flat—communication”
“ Globalization”
“ Pluralism”
“
Individualism—loss of community”
“ Demands on time”
“Holding onto hope in a discouraging atmosphere”
“ Increasing concern for world peace”
As I gathered this information, I found myself beginning to dialogue
with these descriptions of reality.
In his book Deep Change Robert Quinn states “an organization
has an inner voice, it … calls for the continuous realignment
of internal values and external realities.” I have found Quinn
to be a helpful resource in thinking and bringing about a capacity
and willingness for deep change.
If you would be interested in joining a reading group focused on Quinn’s
book, please let me know. I would like to gather a group to read and
discuss Quinn’s book. It would be helpful if you indicate a time
that would work in your schedule
Thanks!
Judy
Archives
December
2007
