My current series of sermons ends this Sunday as we contemplate together one of the most important questions facing Seneca Presbyterian Church: Are we called to become an inter-generational congregation again - a congregation with a vital mix of babies and children, teens and parents - and grandparents? This question is a candid acknowledgement that we are a retiree congregation and initiates a conversation about what that means for our future and what that means for our faithfulness to God's call among us. It is not an easy question to answer and therefore should not be answered quickly. But it is still an important question to be contemplated intentionally and with care. If the answer is yes, the question of how becomes an even more profound challenge, with no guaranteed results. But I think this initial question is the place to start. So I invite you to share in the dialogue and the discernment - and thank you for doing so.
If we turn to Jesus for his example, two traditional texts come to mind. One is the well loved story of Jesus blessing the children (Matthew 19:13-15). The other comes as Jesus presents a child as an example of humility when his disciples are arguing about greatness (Matthew 18:1-5). So what did Jesus mean when he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever becomes humble like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.Whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me."
So please consider with me:
- Are we diminished without children and youth?
- Would our congregational life and ministries be enhanced with children and youth?
- If you believe that to be true, to what extend should we devote our time, attention, and resources to seek and invite families with children and youth to Seneca Presbyterian Church?
- What do we have to offer to the children and youth of this community - and their parents?
- What would it be like to have a congregation where no one remembers being a child in that place?
This post is humbly submitted in grateful acknowledgement of our healthy, vital, and gracious congregation and with deep gratitude to God for Roxi, Reagan, Cokeleigh, Sarah, Lilli, Parker, Jonathan, Emily, Madison, Eric, Tristan, and Sam.
Dear Nancy; (this is from Margot)
ReplyDeleteThank you for asking the members of our Congregation these very important questions. I realize that I am only one -- but these are my answers.
1) Yes, we are diminished without children.
2) Yes, our congregation would be enhanced with children and youth -- and young parents.
3) We should extend ourselves as a welcoming congregation as much as we can by publicity, attractive programs, and examples.
4) A beautiful facility, educated and experienced teachers, musical opportunities, examples of Christ-oriented successes in parentage and marriage, hardworking loving adults willing to reach out to youthful members are all offerings possibly extended from us.
5) A terrible fate for any church would be one where the congregation could not remember any child being welcomed into its midst.
I feel that our Vacation Bible Schoo, Contemporary Worship Service, and Parents-Night-Out are examples of our attempts to include young people and their parents. I know we need to do more. The problem is ours: "we've been there, done that." That's not an excuse; it's a fact shared by many congregations of retirees. I've heard many people in our own church say,"What's wrong with just being a church for retirees? Isn't that ministry important too?" Yes, it is. But it has no future.
Sadly, retirees say to themselves, "That's all I want -- I've earned the right to attend church services regularly, sit in my regular pew, learn and be inspired from the pulpit, sing the hymns I love, join in the activities that interest me, be welcomed by the friends I've made within the congregation, dedicate my money but not necessarily myself to the work necessary to any church, and, most importantly, make sure my spouse and I have a beautiful funeral." Does it really matter that we have no children's choir? That it's been years since we've seen a baby baptized? That the youth groups we enjoyed so much when we ourselves were in our teens do not exist within our church? Again, sadly, it DOESN'T matter to many members of our congregation -- but it does to me! And I'm not alone! But am I willing to start a nursery school for pre-schoolers? NO! Am I willing to offer myself as a babysitter for a child whose parents I don't know? NO! Am I eager to visit the homes of people I don't know if I'm worried about the safety in being there? NO! Have I done any of these things within our church? YES -- through the Gophers and it was NOT productive, positive, nor successful for me. But how I miss the children!
I am delighted to see children at church. I do not have the energy to provide them what they need. I do not have an answer, but I am willing to be God's worker for whatever the church determines is our outreach.
ReplyDeleteI wont try to top, or even equal Margot's comments. She says, and says it so well, what I was thinking and going to set out. I agree with her thoughts and conclusions. I will only add to the answer to #4 that our congregation, because of its "age" can supply great knowledge, gained from experience yet to be had by youth, and to retell the lessons learned so that our mistakes may not be repeated. An I agree that inertia is part of the trouble--we are older and a little tired, and in my case, alone, so it is hard to get up the energy and desire to "do someone else's job," and maybe that is where oyr efforts should start--energize US so we go forth to encourge Youth to join US. As to the rest, Amen. Jack D. Rowe
ReplyDeleteAs I think about other churches in the area that seem to have a relative balance between senior and younger members, there seems to be at least one common thread.....a preschool. This surely is not the only difference. In the case of the Methodist church, their neighborhood location probably gives them some edge too (which helps in the attraction of preschool students). I believe we have investigated the changes needed to our physical plant for such, and have heard it is fairly significant to make such required changes. For example, we would need classrooms to have emergency/outside access, etc. Additionally, the congregation would need to commit to other funding and requirements to start such a program.
ReplyDeleteJust some food for thought on the bigger question Nancy is asking.
My opinion is that bringing more of a youthful environment to this Church is very important not only for its future, but its present health as well. I am not a member, but a long time attendee in his forties who during the last three years has seen many phases of growth, mostly positive. This topic however is one phase that I have not personally seen any maturation in. Although there is a very youthful exuberance with in our present community, the existence of younger generations would breathe additional life and diversity of thought and ideas to our church population.
DeleteI realize this Blog is not for the purpose of fostering ideas for bringing in youth, but I have some none the less. Also forgive me if these are items that I am about to suggest that are already established or have been tried for they are intended to promote more ideas. Going out into the community and speaking directly to younger people about what the church does and can do. Organize a rally with bands, food, games and other entertainment. Get involved with community outreach programs where young people are involved. Conduct church retreats, and have after school programs with art and music programs.
Once younger generations are coming in on a regular basis and perhaps even before, there are things that could be done to retain them. Adding a youth choir in conjunction to the adult choir. Advertising church events outside of our church community. Allowing our younger attendees more ownership in their worship and spirituality by choosing the hymns and maybe some music in addition to playing instruments with the choir. Being the liturgist and collecting the offering. I know this has been done, but maybe more often. Perhaps having one of our youths conduct an additional sermon, maybe 3-5 minutes. How about a program geared to mentoring the youths in our community by helping them with school or speaking with them about one’s life experiences, career, etc. There is a lot of knowledge within this church community that should be shared. I realize that as we grow older the more we resist change and embrace structure, however some change can be good. I do remember the church I grew up in as a child. It was a wonderful community where children, young people, and adults all interacted with different ideas that breathed continuous life into the Church. Seneca Presbyterian Church is a wonderful place to worship. The addition of many different generations can only make it better in my opinion.
I do not feel diminished by the lack of children in our service. I take satisfaction in mature adults serving Christ as best we can. Children are wonderful, but they also divert part of our energy to accommodate. I wish we had such families in our church, but as they are rare we can focus on mature challenges for Christian activities. Our service can have an intellectual maturity and energy that focuses on who we are within the body of Christ. Children are the future of the Christian church nationwide and worldwide, but they need not be seen as the future of SPC. We have plenty of goals that we pursue as part of the body, and our contributions and service are well known. It is heartwarming to see the children at Parents Night Out, or at the Pancake Breakfast (great photos)! We pray that their sense of welcome here is real and based on Christian love. It is enough that one day they may grow to feel that their family will find a home here. Let us take a humble pride in that, embrace it and go forth to serve. I do not think that SPC itself is in danger without children, because our influx of retirees has been steady for decades. Paul famously wrote that not all parts of the body need serve equally, but all contribute.
ReplyDelete