Did you used to go to church? Have your church-going habits changed? Or, to ask a question often asked in Evangelically Departed, do you believe the same things you did five years ago, or twenty?
Having been a pastor for a few decades, in my experience there was never an easy time to be part of running a church, but now is less easy than it has been for quite a while.
So much is changing, so much seems up for grabs and churches are grappling with the changes. Some seem to double down on old models, committing themselves to pretty much the status quo, in terms of meeting, structure and theology. I have written before that I see this as analogous to a local upscale shopping centre that is trying everything to hang onto destination shoppers, even as retail undergoes immense change. Just keep doing things as you have done them.
There is no description of how churches should organize or meet in the New Testament of the Bible and yet, time and time again, Christian leaders have acted as if the way that they do it is THE way God meant it to be done.
Survey results were released recently of 1500 priests, vicars, rectors, curates, and chaplains within the Church of England (The Anglican Church). Ready for some results?
43% said that it was “very likely” that their church would still be holding a service every Sunday in 10 years
67% expected continued decline in attendance at their church
a majority of those surveyed wanted the Church of England to be more embracing of same sex marriages and relationships
63% stated that gay priests should be allowed to enter into civil marriages with their partners
38% said that their workload was too much and/or that they were very over-worked and over-stressed
64% said that they had seriously considered quitting their position within the past 5 years
Change is, by its nature, stressful. If you are, as a parishioner or a leader, part of a church then you are in a time of change likely more significant than any other church change in your lifetime.
There was another article in The Times of London commenting on the results of the survey. It asked a question, from a societal perspective, about implications of the church, as it has been known, shrinking. The question was this, “Where will we find quirky and interesting characters for British comedy and drama?”
It was this article that mentioned a Victorian agnostic who said that each church should have posted a sign outside saying, “IMPORTANT - IF TRUE”. The article then went on to consider in English Literature and popular entertainment some of the many expressions of ministers and priests as characters (Have you seen Rev, or Vicar of Dibley, or Father Brown?).
At least a couple of things are true at times of great change. First, change is unsettling. Second, the temptation to act as if you have the change and the new future figured out is real. The unsettling nature of change leads many leaders to repeatedly say, “From now on …”, sometimes over and over again. The truth is that we don’t know how things will be from now on. We don’t know how the change will settle or when.
As someone who has earned a living from church and counted faith as central in life, I am more than okay with the uncertainty. I find it hopeful. And there really are some funny ministers.
The whole world is changing in so many ways. I say hang on to your hat and enjoy the ride. Even if we don't like everything that happens, it is important to be willing to adjust! Thanks for the thoughtful article!
Thought provoking. Thanks Todd