By Bishop Ann Svennungsen
Church nerds often find many things to disagree about. But, I think most church health experts would agree on some basic truisms about “vital congregations.” Most would probably name the following:
- Be clear about your mission. Why are you here? Why, specifically, is your congregation (not just any congregation) here?
- Engage your neighborhood with respect, curiosity, and faith that God is already at work there.
- Raise up leaders – identify, nurture, and support current and future servant leaders.
- Plan and lead worship that invites participation and proclaims the gospel in Word and Sacrament.
- Provide for life-long faith formation.
LAST WEEK I HEARD something I never thought to include in the list. I add it now:
- Don’t apologize for how big you used to be.
Dr. Anthony Bateza, assistant professor of religion at St. Olaf College in Northfield, gave us a wonderful analogy last week during his lecture “Loving Your Political Neighbor: Lessons from Luther for Today,” as part of the series “The Challenge of Leadership: Ministering in an Election Year.”
Imagine yourself being invited to a party in someone’s home. You are met at the door and welcomed to join the festivities. Before long, your host takes you aside and says, ‘You know, I’m really sorry there aren’t more people here. Two years ago, we had three times as many. Last year, twice as many. Now look. Each year, the crowds get smaller and smaller. I’m really sorry.’
How would you feel? I might think, “Well, I’m not sure I want to be at this party. Perhaps, I just grab my coat and leave.”
No matter what our worship attendance, the gift we have to give others is not “crowd size.” The gift is the Gospel of Jesus Christ – revealed in Word and Sacrament and through Beloved Community.
“No matter what our worship attendance, the gift we have to give others is not ‘crowd size.’”
Each week when we worship, we’re really hosting a party. It’s a gathering where God’s Spirit promises to be at work creating new life and hope.
When the weekly party begins, it’s time to focus on the community who’s shown up. And it’s time to trust that, with the very Spirit of God among us, there’s just the community needed to have a wonderful party.