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As the churches of American continue to re-open their doors we are discovering that many people have yet to commit to returning to regular live church services. In fact it is almost a guessing game for some leaders. Barna Research has been polling the faith community for decades. They have put forth a special effort during our pandemic journey on a weekly basis to reveal what pastors, various faith leaders, and congregants are saying and feeling. Because we are living through the disruption of COVID-19 and then add on top we now are dealing with Racism in America. This compounding impact of social unrest is causing church leaders (1 in 9) to feel their congregants’ faith will and/or is diminishing. Also 43% of leaders now feel there will be a long-lasting decline in church attendance.
I want to interject some personal thoughts on attendance. In my life-time beginning with my pre-teen years church was offered…..•4x weekly – mid-week prayer, Friday evening Youth, 2x on Sunday (a.m. & p.m.)•Pre-COVID faithful church attendance was 1.7x per month. •Is church attendance the correct matrix to measure the activity of God?
The compounding disruptions of the faith community should awaken us to be concerned about how are we showing up as the church in helping people with trust? Trust in government, relationships, and church?
We hear a lot about the Millennials and Gen-Zer’s leaving the church. We should nuance this say they are leaving the white church not so much the black church. If we can get beyond our stylistic likes and dislikes for a moment, I think we can all agree that black worship is emotionally engaging and relational. That seems to be a winning combination for these generations.
Truthfully, as humans seeking understanding and longing for something to believe in, we desire to feel that our life counts and that we belong in a relational community. I believe there are three key conversations that need to occur from church leaders to congregants:1.How are we instilling trust in Civic Leadership and Praying for them?2.How are we instilling confidence in relationships?3.How are we building the Biblical image of the Church/Kingdom of God up?
We still are dealing with the 2nd major disruption – Racism in America. I want to offer 6 bullet points of thoughts.•Research the demographic of your community’s’ school district to get a grasp of the ethnic diversity in your community. This alone will guide strategy to reach across the divide.•Show up at ethnic community opportunities as a LISTNER! Then act like a servant to meet needs.•Love People – Love casts out fear!•Choose Jesus not a “side.”•Do not give up your birth-rite as a Christian for racial posturing.•Every Leader needs a Pastor in their life.
Everyone is an expert presently because they have an FB, Twitter, IN account. Do your homework to get at the truth. Allow data to guide your actions and conversations. Do Not use data to become the decision, only a guide for decisions!
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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!
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