The middle of the year may seem like an odd time to talk about starting something new — summer is usually when church programs shift into a lower gear. While it is important to build in a rhythm for downtime, let’s not forget that God’s timing takes precedence over the church’s calendar. Before you let yourself be lulled into a predictable routine that sustains the status quo, be discerning enough to ask yourself a critical question: “what’s God up to now?”
God is, after all, the God who makes all things new. “See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:19a) Often congregations operate as if the key measure of faithfulness is continuing the programs, policies, procedures and practices that we’ve always had in place. Traditions are indeed an important part of spiritual formation. We are shaped by the habits we keep. However, we must continually ask ourselves if we are maintaining traditions for tradition’s sake.
During the slow summer months, wise leaders may want to begin evaluating what the church is doing and what it needs to do next year. Starting now will give you more time to have conversations with the people who are most likely to resist change. The earlier you announce new plans, the easier it will be to communicate what the change is and why it needs to happen.
Is God doing something new? Do you sense it? Do you feel it? Prayerfully reflect on what might be possible with the God who makes all things possible. Think about the people who might experience the love, grace and mercy of God if the church makes the daring and sacrificial decision to let God do something new.
Resources
Entertaining angels can be harder than it sounds, but it’s also worthwhile and important
While the Bible encourages us to be hospitable to strangers, the possibilities can be frightening. Some churches provide models for bringing people together beyond weekly services or liturgical ties.
By Sarah E. Forsyth
Composting the church offers flourishing in the shadow of decline
As with a garden, so with the church — the remnants at the end of one season enrich growth for new opportunities in the next, writes a Presbyterian pastor.
By McKenna Wallen
A note to pastors from a visitor in your pews
Writing from her perspective as a former pastor and now frequent church visitor, an associate director for Leadership Education at Duke Divinity’s Thriving Congregations Coordination Program suggests simple, concrete ways to welcome the visiting stranger.
By Sarah E. Forsyth
The church isn’t dying. It’s being remade
As the 1950s model declines, new ways of being the church are popping up all over, and gospel truths are now being found in new containers, writes a social entrepreneur.
By Shannon Hopkins
Before you go
With so much going on in the world, it would be easy to put our heads down and do the best we can to keep moving forward. I’m just not sure that’s the most faithful posture we can take right now. We need to “press on toward the goal, toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14) by continuing to show up day after day with hope-filled expectation. I don’t mean the kind of Pollyanna-ish idealism that ignores the facts. I’m talking about the deep conviction that God is with us — and because God is with us, something new and good is still possible. Do you see it? Do you perceive it? Are you ready for it? Bring your leaders together soon and reflect on the new things God might be doing in you and through you. Prepare to be surprised.
You can always reach me and the Alban Weekly team at alban@duke.edu. Until next week, keep leading!
Prince R. Rivers
Editor, Alban at Duke Divinity