Hard times, hard questions, hard answers
Worth your time this morning: A Washington Post profile on recent innovations in congregational development shows how consultants to declining churches are asking necessary but often heartbreaking questions.
The piece begins with Bob Gallagher, founder of the Church Development Institute.
A former Episcopal priest, the gentle 60-year-old is a professional church-savior, a consultant who travels the country trying to resuscitate houses of worship that are losing people and passion. With large swaths of organized religion in decline across the nation, Gallagher's dance card is full.His initial meetings at St. Augustine's were emotional. He confronted people who had been focused on paying the mortgage with more wrenching questions: Do you really have a reason to be in this neighborhood, or could you move somewhere cheaper? What does it mean to be an Episcopalian? Could you merge with a church from another denomination? Do you agree on worship styles? Who are you?
"I remember being in tears," said Virginia Mathis, 64, a St. Augustine regular for 30 years. "He's pushy in a gentle way."
Whether it's by their own hand or their bishop's, declining congregations very often face the question of closure, or at least must honestly face it among several possibilities which may include leaving their existing facilities, taking out the pews, and/or focusing on a new ministry that stretches congregants (while also revitalizing them and rebranding their church's name).
Torey, thanks much for posting this. And I certainly second your suggesting people read the whole article. I actually found much of what I read there very, very hopeful. Bob Gallagher and Phyllis Tickle and Tom Brackett, all in their different ways are asking church congregations to ask 'how are we part of God's mission,' and ask it rigorously. The question can be threatening and if we ask it seriously, it will raise the question of what we may lose, but it's also rich with promise and gain.
Posted by Donald Schell![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 24, 2010 1:22 PM
My parish in New England is in a similar situation. I once remarked to a priest, soon to be jobless because of a merger, that the moving of our large antique Tiffany windows would be prohibitively costly. He walked around the large table, stood inches away from me and asked the most startling and helpful question I've heard in our process: Should I preach you a sermon on IDOLATRY? Every time I feel lost in the morass, I recall that question.
Posted by Christi Hill![[TypeKey Profile Page]](http://www.episcopalcafe.com/lead/nav-commenters.gif)
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October 24, 2010 10:37 PM