SCD Ideas

On Tuesday I had one of those road warrior days where I pushed it on the edge of my travel schedule.  It started at 5:00 am with my drive to the airport in Nashville to get my flight to Chicago.  Once I arrived at Midway I had 90 minutes to get to the location for my meeting but I did not factor in the long line at the car rental counter.  Forty minutes later I was on my way and ended up 35 minutes late.  The meeting went well but being late is never a good idea. 

After a dinner meeting I headed back towards Midway and 90 minutes later found the hotel after a nail biting drive through unfamiliar freeways and city streets.  By end of the day, I was a frazzled, road weary traveler who was a victim of his own folly of putting too much into one day.

Finally, I got to my room only to find out it was occupied by another being.  At first I was startled — this had never happened to me before but then I saw the note.  It explained that Mr. Bubbles, a little gold fish swimming in a standard gold fish bowl, would be spending the night with me.  I was not to do anything for the fish as he had already been fed; I was just to enjoy his company. Strangely it worked.  Mr. Bubbles calm nature as he casually swam back and forth was a blessing. 

This week’s scripture reading has to do the Noah and the Ark.  While children think its a great story about animals and such, a careful  reading of the text points to its focus on obedience.  On the one hand there were those who had strayed so far from God that their every thought was immersed in violence and retribution.  Noah, on the other hand, was found to be a person of God and in the midst of the chaos of the world around him he listened to God and did as he was asked.  The ark saved his family and the animals that came aboard.  A new covenant was established and a new era of God’s relationship to humanity was begun.  In that story there is something to be said about our connection to nature — in our increasingly urban enviornments it seems we become too disconnected to the land and the world upon which we live.  Mr. Bubbles was a gentle reminder to me to give myself a break, to calm down, and to look at those things that both bring beauty into my life and connect me to God’s creation.  I hope some day when you are on  the road a Mr. Bubbles will remind you that God is with you, no matter where your feet may trod.

This year CNN is providing an eye-opening look at the religious landscape through its polling of voters as they keep track of this year’s elections results.  For each state they ask about the worship attendance of the voters.  Yesterday’s polling of democratic voters in Kentucky and Oregon tells an interesting story.

Kentucky:

• Weekly worship attendance: 45%
• Occasionally: 43%
• Never: 11%

Oregon:

• Weekly: 22%
• Occasionally: 41%
• Never: 34%

Another question takes it a step closer by asking about the worship attendance of those who identify themselves as Prostestants.  Only 19% in Kentucky and 10% in Oregon said they attended weekly.  It would be assumed that most United Methodists would identify themselves as Protestants as opposed to Catholic or All others.  As a result only a small percentage of those who see themselves as United Methodists are actually participating in the life of a local congregation.

An easy conclusion would be that people in Oregon are less religious.  But what the results from both states tells us is that even those who call themselves religious, especially Protestants, are less likely than ever to be connected to a local church.  At this year’s General Conference a new committment was added to the membership vows.  Along with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service is a fifth committment,to witness.  It is tempting to think of our witness as being focused on non-Christians, but in many ways even those who have an affinity with Christianity are having a hard time seeing a close connection to living daily as a Christian and how being part of a local faith community can enhance their relationship to God and to fellow believers.

One of the keys to making a connection with people is the development of a discipleship process that moves people into a deeper faith committment and connection with God. Congregations that are able to connect the dots of worship, small groups, community service, fellowship, and missions are the ones who are able to help followers of Jesus grow into the membership vows that we invite people to profess.  The issue is not as much as about beliefs as it is about lifestyle. 

At this year’s School of Congregational Development participants will be invited to take the beginning steps to create an effective discipleship process as a way to incorporate believers into the life of the local church.  Go to http://us.cnn.com/ELECTION/2008/ and click on your state to get the polling results.  Click on all polling results to see the surveys related to worship attendance.  Use this data to start a dialogue in your church about the opportunities you have to connect with people in your community as you share the love and grace of Jesus Christ.