We're ALIVE!

“Our church is dying,” I hear people say, especially in the “greater” areas of our states.  The cry is going out that “if this would only change, then we wouldn't die.”  The comments surround clergy or community involvement or more families with kids or a dynamic youth program or feeding ministries.  But the church, the ecclesia, is the people.  The only way the church is going to die, is if all the people die. 

I propose another expression.

“Our church is living!”  God is present everywhere, so why don’t we talk about the way God is impacting our lives, is ever present in our worship, is our constant hope for our future? These comments can change the way we view the church and her ministries.  Who are we as a faith community?  What are our hopes, dreams and prayers for our future as a haven for those who believe or are searching for something in whom to believe and a place to belong?

How can we appreciate the ministries we have?  In so many faith communities we find people who are super involved in certain ministries and not interested in others, and everything in between.  We cannot make every individual happy with all the decisions made, or even meet all their needs, but we can certainly listen and learn about what is wanted and needed to enhance the way we are faithful in the world through our faith communities.

Our impact as faith-filled people upon others can be either positive or negative.  When we talk about our church as if it were dying, we are not expressing the impact that community has made on us individually.  We are focusing on “what if’s?” instead of “what’s.”  Think instead on these questions:

What do you do in your faith community? 
Why does it matter to you?  To your family?  To your neighbors?
Why do you go to this place in particular? 
How does it feed your spiritual needs?  Your communal needs? 
Is your church an extension of your family?  Why?  How?
What do you do, as a community of faith, really, really well?
Where do you see yourselves in five years?  In ten years?

Start being what you believe you are called to be, even if what you dream is years away:

Dream as if God’s plan for your church is endless.
Express your love for God with enthusiasm.
Talk about your community as if you cannot live without it.
Communicate LIVING language.
Trust that God is with you.
Keep hoping!  It’s contagious!

Dear God of all, teach us to talk with words of hope and grace and love about your church, for when we talk as living communities, we will live, in you, with you and for you.  Amen.