The pendulum is swinging back, as pendulums inevitably do. For the past thirty years we have seen a swing in faith practices to the megachurches,
mostly evangelical congregations independent of denominations. But the past few
years have seen a turn away from this trend. Those leaving are disillusioned
with how Christianity is practiced, seeing it as too political, too consumed
with money, too hypocritical, not focused on helping the gathered grow in faith
and the Spirit.
Many have turned away from church entirely, while others continue to seek
and search. As Diana Butler Bass observes in her book Christianity After Religion, “All sorts of people – even mature, faithful
Christians – are finding conventional religion increasingly less satisfying,
are attending church less regularly, and are longing for new expressions of
spiritual community.”
This growing group of new seekers are calling themselves, “Spiritual But
Not Religious.” They see religion as hidebound, stuck in the past, more
concerned with rules and institutions than people or even Jesus. SBNRs don’t
want to turn away from faith, they want to find new ways to “do church.” They
want to worship and serve in a community that nurtures and nourishes their
faith. As Butler Bass puts it, “to say that one is ‘spiritual but not religious’ is often a way
of saying, ‘I am dissatisfied with the way things are, and I want to find a new
way of connecting with God, my neighbor, and my own life.’” The critical questions have become: How do I grow in faith? How
do I follow Christ faithfully? and How do I live my faith?
These are the trends at work around us and they will impact us as a
church. It is why our Session has been working with the Rev. Dr. Ed White this
year so we can plan for the future amidst a rapidly changing world all around
us. Butler Bass teaches us that Church is no longer membership in an
institution, but a journey toward the possibility of a relationship with
people, a community, a tradition, and of course God in Jesus Christ. We need to
be sure we are focused on relationships: building them, nurturing them, and
nourishing them.
I have been part of the
conversations taking place within the Session, of course. My Wednesday Bible
Study group has also been part of this conversation as we have looked at the
future of faith, church, and religion. I am hoping to open the conversation
further in the Fall by leading a series of Adult Education classes on Sunday
morning. Come be part of the conversation as we discern where God is calling us
and where the Spirit is leading us – into a future which will assuredly be
marked by change!
Grace & peace,
Pastor Skip
