Not At My Church!
Stories
Lectionary Tales For The Pulpit
Series II Cycle A
For years George had been complaining that the attendance was down at the church he had attended all his life. "I do not ever remember it being so low," he complained one evening at the church board meeting. "Just several years ago we would have close to a hundred people at worship every week," he said. "Now we have trouble reaching a hundred on Easter Sunday." There were others that agreed with George. They too noticed the steady decline in worship attendance over the years. There were some who remembered the good old days when everyone in the community went to church. "When Pastor Wonderful was our pastor," Thelma told the group, "our church was full every Sunday." Others at the meeting began to place the blame on external things, like some of the policies of the denomination. Then there was that church with the new, modern building on the outskirts of town that played guitars during its worship services.
Rod sat there listening to what everyone said, not saying a word. Rod was new to the community as well as the church. The reason for decline seemed obvious to him: the congregation was getting older, while at the same time they were so stuck in their ways that they were failing to reach younger people or new people. Rod made what he thought was a positive suggestion. He had read in one of the church's papers that consultants were available to help churches. "Why not ask a consultant to come to our church," Rod said, "to give us some suggestions and ways we might grow?" Some on the board were not sure this was a good idea, while others thought this was a great idea. Anyone who has ever served on a committee knows that when someone has an idea he or she is more than likely put in charge. Rod was instructed to make the necessary contacts.
Two months later, following worship, the church board and a few other interested persons met with the consultant in the church's fellowship hall. The consultant listened to their concerns and even their complaints. He suggested that they have an "Invite A Friend" emphasis at their church. Several churches, he explained, had great success with this program. He suggested that they have invitations printed and then have people from the church personally hand them out to people they know who are not involved in any church. Then on "Invite A Friend Sunday" people in the church make a special effort to welcome them. Following worship the guests are invited to a meal in the fellowship hall. "Spare no expense," the consultant told them. "Explain that the meal is in their honor." There were some good follow-up questions the consultant answered before he left.
Rod thought this was just the thing to do. He was excited about the possibilities. Before people left church that day he told them he knew someone who would probably print the invitations at cost.
George had some words for his pastor as he left church that day. George did not like the idea one bit. "All the young people want to do is have a party," he said. "Church is supposed to be serious. We will never have a party in my church." At the next church meeting George spoke against the plan and had recruited enough people to agree with him that the motion was soundly defeated. Rod was clearly disappointed. Nothing would be done, and attendance in that church would continue to decline.
Rod sat there listening to what everyone said, not saying a word. Rod was new to the community as well as the church. The reason for decline seemed obvious to him: the congregation was getting older, while at the same time they were so stuck in their ways that they were failing to reach younger people or new people. Rod made what he thought was a positive suggestion. He had read in one of the church's papers that consultants were available to help churches. "Why not ask a consultant to come to our church," Rod said, "to give us some suggestions and ways we might grow?" Some on the board were not sure this was a good idea, while others thought this was a great idea. Anyone who has ever served on a committee knows that when someone has an idea he or she is more than likely put in charge. Rod was instructed to make the necessary contacts.
Two months later, following worship, the church board and a few other interested persons met with the consultant in the church's fellowship hall. The consultant listened to their concerns and even their complaints. He suggested that they have an "Invite A Friend" emphasis at their church. Several churches, he explained, had great success with this program. He suggested that they have invitations printed and then have people from the church personally hand them out to people they know who are not involved in any church. Then on "Invite A Friend Sunday" people in the church make a special effort to welcome them. Following worship the guests are invited to a meal in the fellowship hall. "Spare no expense," the consultant told them. "Explain that the meal is in their honor." There were some good follow-up questions the consultant answered before he left.
Rod thought this was just the thing to do. He was excited about the possibilities. Before people left church that day he told them he knew someone who would probably print the invitations at cost.
George had some words for his pastor as he left church that day. George did not like the idea one bit. "All the young people want to do is have a party," he said. "Church is supposed to be serious. We will never have a party in my church." At the next church meeting George spoke against the plan and had recruited enough people to agree with him that the motion was soundly defeated. Rod was clearly disappointed. Nothing would be done, and attendance in that church would continue to decline.
