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For those of you that read the Pioneer Press on
Sunday, you may have seen the comic “Family
Tree” on January 31st.
In the comic the granddaughter is telling her
grandmother about voting for her favorite
dessert on twitter, the sexiest man on a web
site, and American Idol star on Facebook – the
grandmother comments on how she is participating
in the democratic process. For many of us
Twitter and Facebook may seem meaningless. For
others these are places for social interaction
that reach beyond our neighborhoods into the
world. This last week a pivotal event happened
in the world of technology – the Ipad was
released! For many this is unimportant, for
others this was the announcement that they were
waiting for. We may not all understand these
communication wonders, but we do have to
acknowledge their existence. This is how people
in the world communicate today!
Since September I have been participating in a
“lab” on the subject of “re-think church,” a
seminar on what the church of this decade is
becoming and where our future lies. Here are
some things that we are pretty sure are true:
The church as an institution is becoming less
relevant in today’s society. For our younger
adults the building is not a critical component
of church – it’s about the people – and
spiritual (church) gatherings of people can
happen anywhere.
The church as a movement is growing. This means
that the church as a force of change is becoming
more important today. The force of the movement
comes from people who truly “want to make a
difference in the world, in whatever way they
can.”
If we continue to be church as we have been
church for the last several generations – our
mainline denominations will die – our church
buildings will be empty, gathering dust.
Having considered these things – I am excited
about the future of the United Methodist
movement. The future is in many ways a
returning to our roots.
John Wesley preached in fields, and did not
really preach regularly in a church until the
end of his ministry.
John Wesley formed his followers so that they
would go into the world and minister to the
world founding prison ministries, orphanages and
hospitals.
John Wesley encouraged people to gather together
in their homes or wherever they could gather, to
study and pray together, and, most of all
encourage each other.
In the coming months a team of strategic
planners will be meeting to consider where
Gethsemane can re-think church and become
relevant in our community and neighborhood.
Their goal will not center around growing
membership but on growing ministry. Please keep
them in your prayers and share your dreams and
visions. I am excited about this process, just
as I am excited about our future as a
re-energized movement. God is moving forward –
let’s move forward with God!
With God’s grace,
Marci
