Disturbing trends, part I

 I have been in ordained ministry twenty-two years now.  I have been actively involved in church life for another fifteen'ish.  This has given me the opportunity to see both the best and the not so good of the church.  I have observed United Methodist Churches and Episcopal Churches.  Some of these trends are not really new.  Like everything else in life right now, COVID-19 has exacerbated the situation.

1) The 20/80 principle is now probably now more like the 8/92 principle.  That is to say, 8% of the people are actively engaged and doing the work of the other 92%.  There is no sense of personal responsibility or ownership for the communal life and ministry of the local congregation.  Then we throw our hands up in despair when the church is shrinking or a ministry cannot continue.

2) We expect pastors to do all the work.  After all, they are the public, designated Christian who is called to minister on our behalf (we have deluded ourselves into thinking, clergy, too!). This is fallout from #1 and, thereby, relieves the baptized ministers of their duty as fellow followers of Jesus.  The Book of Common Prayer 1979 is clear that all followers of Jesus ARE ministers, not just the ordained.

3) Flowing from #3, each of us comes to the congregation with expectations and nostalgia.  We then place these onto the pastor as if she or he has a magic wand and can magically bring back a choir, a full Sunday school, et cetera.  This only works when the whole Body works along with us.  God's Holy Spirit gives us gifts for us to use for the church and the world (I Corinthians 12)

4) Clergy are not miracle workers.  We can only work with the people, resources, and circumstances we are given.  This is a follow up to #4.  Yes, we may skills and gifts that can help us make some impact.  But there is only so much clergy can do on their own.  We can lead a horse to water, but we cannot make it drink.

5) Faith has become a private matter.  I see this as a consequence of our hyper-individualized society.  We are less willing to talk about our faith, perhaps to avoid conflict or to not be labelled a "freak."  Jesus is clear that we have to have both faith and works (including sharing our faith) together.  A focus on one or the other creates a lopsided, immature faith.

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