The Big Why

I have been blessed by all the ways you have responded to the first posting on prayer. It is exciting to think about the ways God is already at work in the congregations around the state. For this entry we will focus on the question of why a congregation wants to enter into the transformation journey.

Let's face it many churches are not like they use to be. It can get rather depressing to look at all the statistics and balance sheets as they decline in tandem. For a majority of congregations in the Upper New York Conference we are trying to be in mission and ministry with fewer people and even fewer resources than before. At some point the realization sets in that something different is needed in the life of the congregation. Driving the conversation is usually the need to keep the doors open, to simply exist. Many have told me they need to revitalize their church because if they don't they will have to close.

It is good, and important to realize the need for something to change in our congregations. At the same time trying to keep the doors open is not the right reason to to go through congregational revitalization. When saving the church becomes our focus, I fear we have missed the point. Revitalization is not a gimmick or program to keep the church alive. The goal is not the survival of the United Methodist Church, local or General Church. Revitalization is about congregations fulfilling the calling of Jesus to make disciples. This means to develop the disciples already a part of the congregation, and to reach out and invite others into the journey of discipleship. Our goal in revitalization is to see local congregations following after what God is doing in t heir midst, not merely keeping the doors open. As followers of Jesus we are called to abundant life, not mere existence.

So, as you consider the work of revitalizing a congregation what is your motivation or intention? Everything we do in the church is focused around making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. If the motivation and intention of a congregation is other than that, then revitalization might not be for them. I realize that is a strong statement. Yet, I stand by the statement because we need to be clear about why we exist, what the out purpose is. Without clarity of purpose it is nearly impossible to have clarity of why a congregation would enter into revitalization.

Take time to search within and see what the motivation it for revitalization. Is it to recapture something that once was? Is it to be able to pay the bills? Is it to keep a full-time pastor? Is it because there is a desire to be a congregation that makes disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world? Revitalization will only begin to happen when we are clearly focused on the call of Christ. Other focus points may keep the doors open, and might even bring a few new people through the doors. The questions will still remain; are the new people becoming disciples of Jesus Christ? Is the community around the congregation transforming because of what God is doing in the local congregation?

Get clear about why you are doing what your are doing.

Laying the Foundation

It has been great to get out among all the wonderful people that make up the Upper New York Annual Conference and talk about revitalization. I know a few of you have visited this blog and wondered why is there not more to this page. Well now we begin the digital journey of transformation. For many I have already shared the outline of the Hand to Plow process that we will be sharing in together starting in 2013. For those who have not seen it, you can find a brief outline to the right or by clicking here. One of the most common questions I have had other than details of the process is, "What can our congregation be doing to get ready for revitalization?" The short answer is to lay the right foundation for revitalization. To expand a little this includes the following: prayer, clarity of intention, arranging the pastor's time, consider what the congregation is spending time on. Over the next few weeks I will be taking a little time to address each of these items  through this blog. Please check back and participate in the conversation. You can also receive updated posts by subscribing via RSS feed or by email.

At this time I would like to talk about the importance of prayer, especially when it comes to the journey of revitalization. Following Jesus Christ without having a robust, deep and consistent prayer life is like trying to drive a car without fuel, or electricity for those who drive such vehicles. We can take on all the appearances of someone who is following Christ, complete with a weekly trip to a worship service, yet not have any of the resources needed to live the life we are called to. Prayer is a key to connecting with those resources. It is important to remember this is more than a blessing before a meal, or bringing our list of ways we would like God to behave and perform. More than I would like to admit I engage in prayer with my list of concerns and the list of ways I want God to be God. This is not all bad and it is not all good either. God longs to have us submit what is on our hearts. Repeatedly we are encouraged by Scripture to cast our cares on Christ, to lift our prayers and petitions to God. We are also reminded to tune our ears for what God might be saying to us. I am learning to spend more of my time in prayer listening than talking, and I will be the first to tell you this is not always easy. Yet, it is essential that we take time to sit and listen for the heart and voice of God.

This always brings up the question, "What does the voice of God sound like?" It is so difficult to put human attributes to this because when we do, we limit God and ourselves. Some would describe the voice of God as a nudging, a feeling, an inkling. Others would say they have heard an audible voice as communication from God. I would say it is like any relationship the more time we spend hearing the voice of God the easier it is to discern in the midst of all the voices. In John's Gospel we are reminded of this in Chapter 10 where Jesus tells us the sheep follow his command because they know his voice. God is big enough to have a voice which comes to each of us as we need it in order to be heard. It is not as if God is trying to be elusive or hide, rather God longs to be in communication with us, yes listening but also speaking into our lives.

So what does this have to do with revitalization? Everything. The transformation of a congregation through revitalization is not merely an organizational change. While that might be necessary, the very heart of revitalization comes in what God is doing in our souls and lives. Individuals and congregations feeling led to enter into revitalization are encouraged to start with prayer. Invite individuals to pray as well as the congregation as a whole. Remember this is a conversation with God, speaking and listening. It is important to  be prepared for what God is calling us to. The dangerous, yet required question of God is to reveal to us the places where we need to develop as a follower of Jesus. Perhaps to use a more Wesleyan question, asking God how is it with my soul? Then having the courage to listen for God, and begin to live into the guidance God offers.

Reorganizing church structure, taking classes and attending workshops, even being involved with the Hand to Plow process will not bring about transformation in our congregations unless we allow ourselves to be transformed. Through a deep and active prayer life we begin the work of transformation as we allow God to speak to us, to guide us in the ways that will lead to a deeper journey, and help us to reflect Christ in greater ways. May we be a people of prayer, and may we be obedient to what God calls us to as we listen to the very heart of God.