The numbers game
Last issue’s “From the Editor” column discussed why some pastors feel bad about the size of their churches. That prompted a thoughtful letter from a charter subscriber:
“Personally, I do not believe that I am my statistics. . . . Within the confines of my home and church, I am accepted for being myself rather than for producing a certain number of ‘bodies, bucks, and buildings.’
“But that doesn’t hold true when I venture outside my church. There is a very real ‘pecking order’ in Christian circles, and it is not based on your character, ability, or faithfulness. The pecking order is based on the size of your church.
“The larger your church, the better chance you have to relocate to another ministry . . . the better chance you’ll be sought for consultation . . . the better chance you’ll be asked to speak at conferences and seminars or serve on the boards and committees of Christian organizations.
“I choose not to judge myself on the basis of statistics, but when others do it constantly, it becomes very wearing.”
The “next church”
Finally, the secular media are noticing a profound change in church life. In the August issue of The Atlantic Monthly, Charles Trueheart writes of “The Next Church,” churches ” ‘intentional’ about growing.” (To read the article: in America Online, use the key word “Atlantic”; on the web, go to www.theAtlantic.com.)
In an interesting countertrend, several Leadership advisers have noticed a move toward “classic” elements in worship: more doctrinal preaching, more hymns, more liturgy. And at least one prominent seeker-oriented church is switching Sunday morning from seeker evangelism back to Christian worship; evangelism will be through events.
Theology = longevity
At a recent Leadership planning meeting, Dennis Baker, director of the Conservative Baptist Association, observed this: “As I look at pastors who have finished well, almost all are theological thinkers. Without a strong grounding in theol-ogy, pastors tend to have a short shelf life.”
We wanted to apologize
The summer issue included “My Former Church Apologized,” the true story of a pastor who had been hurt by a church and how later that church publicly apologized to him. That brought a letter from a pastor who experienced the opposite:
“I knowingly accepted a call to a church whose eight-year relationship with my preceding pastor ended very negatively. . . . Six months ago the deacon board sent a letter to the former pastor asking his forgiveness.
“We received a letter from the former pastor stating that he and his wife were deeply hurt during their time here, . . . that they had forgiven the church, had put the matter behind them, and a meeting was not necessary. The letter was worded in such a way that . . . the hurt and anger came through but the forgiveness did not.
“We have people who need an opportunity to apologize. . . . If you are a pastor who has been mistreated by a congregation and they approach you about a meeting, please meet with them. You might not need it, but they do.”
There IS a free lunch
Want a Leadership editor to come visit and buy you lunch? We like to talk with readers about their ministry; that helps us keep the journal truly helpful.
If you’re interested, send a letter with your address and phone. In the next three months, we’ll pick a few of the cards we receive and set up a visit.
Coming Together
As dozens of black churches were torched this summer, we agonized. We were pleased, though, to see congregations from around the country respond to what were often acts of racism.
While traveling through Memphis, we picked up one such story. A work team from the Emmanuel Baptist Church of Henderson, Texas, traveled at their expense to Fruitland, Tennessee, to help rebuild the Salem Baptist Church.
Salem’s pastor, Daniel Donaldson, said, “Their actions have, in essence, told me, ‘Even though your church was burned, it is now our problem. At one time we might have turned our backs, but no more. Let’s come together.’ “
1996 by Christianity Today/LEADERSHIP, journal.
Last Updated: October 7, 1996
