What next?

Last week I was invited to join the diocesan Commission on Ministry for a day of retreat, a chance to discern and discuss together what qualities and formation ordained leaders will need for the church of today. (I will be officially appointed to the COM at the diocesan convention in November, but I joined the group for this day as it will shape our work for the next few years.) We were asked to read Stephanie Spellers' book Church Tomorrow?, compiling research and conversations with 'Nones' and 'Dones.' 'Nones' are those who claim no religious affiliation whatsoever; 'Dones' are those who have left their faith tradition. Our discussion helped clarify for me how quickly things have changed in the church, even over the course of my own 26 years of ordained ministry. Spellers points out that although the church has been aware of a steep decline in numbers for decades, it seems to be only now that we're taking it seriously. It is more obvious than ever that doing things as we always have done and expecting people to find us, or re-find us, is the proverbial way of the ostrich with its head in the sand. In other words, we've told ourselves comforting half-truths - young people like tradition; the church isn't declining, it's starting to grow again; when people have kids they look for a faith community - without recognizing that an increasing number of Americans find no purpose or meaning in organized religion at all. Even committed members think of attending every 6 weeks or so as 'regular attendance.' 

Perhaps this all sounds familiar to your own practice and that of your family members and friends. Although there are abundant possible ways out of this, my main emotional reaction is both sadness and hope. I am sad to lose the church I grew up in, the traditions and rituals and kind of community I knew as a young person. Yet I am hopeful because God is still active and present - a majority of Americans, despite their lack of affiliation, claim a belief in God and private spiritual practices. And I know God finds all sorts of ways into our hearts and behaviors. Just as happened throughout history, the institutions we love may change dramatically or even pass away, but God does not. I am curious to see what comes next - and eager for St Francis to listen carefully to how God would have us live today.