SCD Ideas

The Pew U.S. Religious Landscape Survey is packed with information about religious affiliation in the United States.  During the next couple of weeks, I will unpack the data as it relates to the United Methodist Church.  To see the survey go to http://religions.pewforum.org/reports

According to the survey 5.1% of the U.S. population claims an affiliation with the United Methodist Church.  With a popluation of over 300 million, this means over 15 million people see themselves as United Methodist.  But with a membership of just under 8 million and a weekly worship attendance close to 4 million, this means we have a much greater potential to connect with people who alreadly have a natural connection to the UMC.

Instead of focusing on the numbers of people in the church maybe we should think about what influence a church has in its community.  When you gather for worship, each person in the congregation is connected to a web of people.  Family, friends, neighbors — even strangers are touched by what happens.  When you pray for a person who is suffering, his or her life is connected to others who may stand outside the body of Christ, but who are blessed by God’s mercy and grace. When a wedding or a funeral takes place in your building, people who have no formal affiliation with your church are introduced to who you are.  Hebrews 12:1 says, “we are surrounded by  so great a cloud of witnesses.” Rather than thinking of those who have gone before us we can think of those in our communities who surround us.  Those who watch and wonder if this Jesus thing is real.   Every church regardless of its size and location has an influence — way beyond what any of us can see.  Lets remember to celebrate the priveledge we have to be a wittness to our communities this day. 

By Craig Miller