SCD Ideas

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.

As United Methodist leaders gather in Fort Worth, Texas for the 2008 General Conference they will focus on a number of key issues related to the ongoing vitality of the denomination.  While the number of United Methodists has grown outside the United States, the U.S. Church has continued to decline in numbers.  In a paradoxical way, this ongoing loss of members is bringing leaders to a critical juncture in the life of the largest of the mainline denominations with just under 8 million members and over  34,000 local churches in the United States.  In order to connect with a younger, more diverse population it will need to have a major focus on starting new churches and revitalizing existing congregations. 
If you already have thousands of churches, why would you need more?  Because the population of the United States will grow by over 100 million people by 2050 and without new churches the UMC will not have an opportunity to offer ministry to a population that increasingly lives in urban America.
In 7 Myths of the United Methodist Church, I point out that in the best-selling book, The Tipping Point, the strategy of the John Wesley is highlighted.  Wesley realized that in order for people to grow in faith and practice as followers of Jesus Christ you have to create a community around them that would nurture them and encourage them in their faith journey.  Because of his strategy the Methodist movement exploded in the 1780s from 29 thousand to 90 thousand in the course of six years.  This principle holds true today.  Whether we are talking about Christian discipleship or educating our young people, without a community of people who care individuals easily get lost in our rapidly changing society.
The UMC is at another tipping point in its history.  While it is still strong and has great resources, by focusing on sharing the gospel to new generations of people both in the United States and around the world, it can create communities where individuals can flourish and mature in faith.  A choice for the future means focusing our efforts in a way that creates new faith communities that embrace newcomers with the grace and love of Jesus Christ.
For additional resources go to www.gbod.org\7myths