A CURE FOR “DEADWOOD”
I stared at the membership brochure of the church where I was candidating, and blinked.
“You are invited to become a member of Covenant Baptist Church by sharing in our Covenant of Membership.
“Membership is for a calendar year, and each year we commit ourselves to God and to one another in this Covenant.”
I had served for five years on the staff of a very large church where the membership could only be approximated. A decade could pass before we discovered someone was no longer attending, and the rolls frequently included names of persons who had died several years before. I was bothered to see new people join the church and immediately fade into inactive anonymity. While these cases were extreme, they illustrated the problems of “forever membership.”
Now here was a congregation doing something distinctive. From its inception nine years before in a rapidly growing suburb of Phoenix, the charter members and the founding pastor, Fred Williamson, had tried new ideas. The annual renewal of membership-the same as if you were joining the YMCA or your block association-was one such idea.
“We wanted to keep membership from becoming just another ritual,” Larie Kelley told me after I accepted the pastorate. Traditional lifetime membership had been considered, I learned, but the charter congregation had voted overwhelmingly for the annual plan.
Today, the Covenant of Membership remains essentially as it was first drafted, although we have reworded it for clarity and a spirit of graciousness. The specific sections are commitments we believe the Lord expects each of us to make as his disciples. They are:
Personal acceptance of Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord
Public profession of faith by baptism
Regular participation in worship
Regular personal devotions and corporate study of God’s Word
Serving, or preparing to serve, in some area of ministry
Sharing time, talent, and money in God’s work.
Since 1982, the second or third Sunday of January has been “Covenant Sunday.” (Previously, recommitments were made at the New Year’s Eve service.) Copies are mailed in advance to all current members and friends for personal prayer and review. On that Sunday, in both morning services, several individuals read the covenant aloud, the Scripture that affirms it, and make explanations for those who are unfamiliar with it. Additional copies are provided for those who did not receive one or forgot to bring it.
Then the people are invited to bring their signed forms to the Communion table as a public act of commitment.
Those submitting covenants for the first time are interviewed by the diaconate in the days that follow about their Christian testimony and baptism. They are also placed into one of five “family groups” led by the deacons. New Christians are invited to join a small group study on basic Christianity.
For those absent on Covenant Sunday, we give opportunity the next two Sundays. Occasionally people are out of town for an extended period; we are willing to receive their covenants by mail. The same applies to the few nonresident members-for example, a young man who is employed in Saudi Arabia. Although Tom is absent, the annual renewal keeps the mutual bond of commitment fresh.
What happens to those who don’t renew? Here is where the concept begins to show its strength.
Our constitution allows a three-month grace period (to April 1), during which membership remains in force. During that time, the diaconate and I contact those who have not renewed. Our purpose is not to arm-twist but rather to let them share concerns or any personal difficulties they have with the church’s programs or leadership. Most often we simply find a case of oversight on the person’s part. “I was gone that Sunday, and I just keep forgetting to bring my covenant with me” is a common response.
But sometimes we discover things that need attention.
“We just don’t feel as close to the church as we used to feel,” said Jeff, speaking carefully. “I’m not sure what I should do. Work has been really hectic, and it’s difficult for me to get to church on Sundays.” We explored how to restore the feeling of closeness, and we prayed together. Jeff and his wife later decided to renew their covenant.
So did Debbie, but not until she shared her personal dilemma. “I just don’t know if I can commit myself to regular Bible study. I don’t want to be a hypocrite, and I’m not reading the Bible every day.” We talked about the meaning of regular and the importance of a quiet time even if only for a few minutes. I shared my own struggles in this area. After we reflected on God’s desire for fellowship with us and to speak to us through his Word, she said, “I’m really glad we talked. I feel better.”
One young couple did not renew. “I’m just not sure I am willing to say I will serve,” the husband explained.
“My schedule is pretty heavy, so I’ve decided we should not renew.” I told them we respected their decision and encouraged them to stay active-which they did. The next year they reunited with the church.
Are there disadvantages to annual membership? It does mean more work for the diaconate and pastor in contacting people. But we think that’s part of our responsibility as leaders. Sometimes we must listen to things we’d rather not hear. Those painful moments, however, have deepened trust and real growth. Newcomers sometimes express reservations about the concept, because it’s unusual. But once we explain, most are enthusiastic.
The benefits are:
Heightened awareness of one’s commitment
Fewer inactive members
More accountability to the Lord and the local body
Increased leader sensitivity to the spiritual welfare of the congregation
The creation of a channel for concerns, hurts, and problems that might otherwise go untreated
The opportunity for personal spiritual renewal.
We feel church membership should be active-a specific response to God’s grace, expressed within the context of the local church. The annual covenant is keeping that commitment fresh.
EASTER ECHOES
Most choirs would rather perform than practice. And when they’ve put long hours into preparing for a special event, why not make of the most of it?
Three years ago, Billy Sparkman, pastor of First United Methodist Church in Selma, California, realized only one congregation got to hear the special Easter music the church choir prepared, and he wanted to share it.
“I mentioned this to our local ministers’ group, and the other pastors felt the same way about their choirs,” says Sparkman.
The result? Easter Echoes-an annual music celebration with eight local churches participating.
On the second Sunday after Easter, a 4 P.M. service brings together the choirs of all eight churches. Each choir sings one or two anthems it performed during Lent or Easter. Then the choirs join for two or three numbers. Members of small churches without choirs are invited to join in the massed choir of about 125.
“Some people in small churches have never experienced singing in a large group,” says Sparkman. “It’s a real joy. Often they’re surprised at the full, rich sound.”
Two Sunday afternoon practices help coordinate the massed choir, plus many of the churches’ choir directors have their individual choirs work on the numbers ahead of time and perform them in church before the Easter Echoes service.
“The program has been a morale booster,” says Sparkman. “It gives each choir a chance to share its talents and message with the larger Christian community. We’ve gotten to know each other better as churches.
“And after Easter, a time when some churches experience a natural letdown, this event helps extend the joy of the Resurrection.”
IN HONOR OF MOMS AND MOMS-TO-BE
Mother’s Day isn’t just for mothers at Memphis (Missouri) United Methodist Church. Also honored are the ladies in waiting.
“Last year on Mother’s Day we had 195 in worship, including 88 mothers,” says Pastor J. Brent Mustoe. “To them we gave a small plant. But we also had five women who were expecting their first child. We wanted to recognize them, too.”
Mustoe had all five come to the altar, introduced them, and asked them to tell when their baby was due. Then he presented each with a red rose and offered a prayer for God to bless them and their unborn babies, to keep them safe during pregnancy and delivery.
“It was a special time for all of us,” says Mustoe. “And as a postscript, we baptized the last of the five babies not long ago. All the mothers and children are doing fine.”
FATHER’S DAY-FOR A WHOLE MONTH
Father’s Day often means a card, a tie, and a passing reference in the Sunday sermon. By Monday, nothing remains but the tie.
The children at Cathedral of the Valley in Northridge, California, however, found a way to extend the joy-and learned something in the process.
June was designated “Dad Appreciation Month,” and dads were invited to come to children’s church and explain their job, hobby, talent, or interest.
“The response was terrific,” says Martha Bolton, children’s ministries director. “We had a different dad volunteer for each Sunday, and then some!”
One Sunday a policeman brought a squad car and took the kids for a ride, siren and all. Another dad, a crane operator, brought a crane and hoisted the Boltons’ car into the air. Yet another, a carpenter, demonstrated how his tools work and even helped the children make little crosses.
Along with his presentation, each dad either illustrated a Bible truth or told how God had helped him in the business or hobby. For instance, the crane operator showed that moving a heavy car by your own strength is difficult, but it’s easy when you have the right power source and equipment.
“We took pictures each Sunday and posted them on the bulletin board along with an advertisement of next week’s ‘Special Dad,’ ” says Bolton. “We had everyone in the church talking. And the most excitement seemed to come from the fathers
“The kids learned a great deal, and they’ll remember that month for a long time. But most important, they learned that the men of God are very special people.”
LET ALL THE CHURCH KEEP SILENCE
Many pastors are troubled by the general commotion in the sanctuary before worship services. Even when the organist starts playing, the low din continues. How do you quiet the babble without lecturing the socializers?
Robert Boice of The Old Bridge Baptist Church in East Brunswick, New Jersey, found a way to still the hubbub-and at the same time, prepare the congregation to worship.
“After our church installed a sound system with the capability to play cassette tapes, I bought an album of the New Testament,” says Boice. “Now on Sunday mornings, one of our teenagers puts in the cassette with the appropriate Scripture reading about five minutes before the service.”
While the organist plays softly in the background, the people listen to the morning Bible passage.
“The result has been truly gratifying,” says Boice. “The moment the tape starts people stop talking, quiet down, and they’re prepared when the worship service begins.”
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