Lenten Reading

Church family, 

I'm enjoying reading a new book by United Methodist Bishop, Robert Schnase. Schnase, the Missouri Area UM Bishop, will be in Arkansas in April for a workshop on church revitalization.   

The book, "Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations" is a good one to read in Lent when we're thinking about change, as individuals and as the Body of Christ.  I have been praying and meditating about how we reach out to persons who have been treated poorly by the church, or who think church is negative, or who have simply been turned off by bad theology and bad religion.  I know there are people out there who don't even know they need the church or that the church can be a healing, positive force in their lives and the lives of their families.

As most of you know, I'm a mom with a 21-month old child.  I have learned a lot about the needs of those who struggle to balance a larger family, work, play, and church.  Right before maternity leave, I announced to the congregation that I didn't want them to call me about work. I had left a tight ship with good delegation.  What many members heard is, Don't call me!  Don't come by!  Don't bother me at all!  And so few did.  One brought a meal.  Some sent cards.  Here I was with a husband out of town after the second week, anemic, recovering from major surgery, and learning to breast feed.  I needed some church family!

After returning to work, I learned that many people in our church would have provided more support if only I'd asked, if only they'd understood that I did want them to stop by, offer help and bring food!  I just didn't want to work!  We are blessed to have a loving, caring, welcoming church, but communication and anticipation of needs is essential to being a "radically hospitable" church (Schnase's phrase).

But what about people who don't tell the church their needs?   It is our task to discover those needs.  An example cited in the book.    

A small, rural congregation had attendance of about 100 with a mix of ages, mostly older adults.  After seven years of growth under a new pastor, the attendance regularly reaches 150 or more.  The congregation has built a new dining area and renovated a youth room.  "The secret has been active hospitality that has become contagious throughout the congregation.  For instance, when a visiting mom felt self-concious whenever her baby started to fuss during worship, the pastor met with congregational leaders and they decided that they valued having young people so highly that they had to do something to ease discomfort.  To show support for the young mom, they bought a comfortable, well-padded rocking chair and placed it just behind the last pew of the small sanctuary. Word got around, and soon they had to have two more rocking chairs to accommodate the moms who found this congregation to be the friendliest around!"

What can you do to reach out to others who are not yet aware that a spiritual home can be a place of love, acceptance, and radical hospitality?   What should our church do to reach out to others who need us?  What could our church do to reach people who are not yet within our walls and welcome them?

Peace in this Lenten Season,

Rev. Betsy