The church is dead. Long live the church!

Fresh expressions or last gasps?

It seems to me that much of what people who congregate as Christians do or what is classed as mission only appeals to less than 5% of the Australian population. Much of what goes on is merely attracting people from other denominations. One example (among many) is of more conservative minded people drifting to more conservative minded congregations and more liberal minded people drifting to more liberal minded congregations. Some may be attracted in from a non-religious background but the amount of disillusioned believers leaving seems to be growing even faster. If a congregation or denomination or 'the church' is concerned about its impact, the uncontested space of the 95% might be where it could focus its efforts and resources for the greatest rewards.

Meanwhile, I think every church, every congregation, has to de-construct what it is, why it exists, what it does, how it holds power, its history, its place in society, its view of 'the truth', what it represents, how it relates to people who do not want to believe or people who do not want to be part of organised religion and so on. There may be a lot to let go of including ideas about God and notions of what is truth and who and what defines truth and letting go of the things we do, that we hold to but which work against what we really want to express. For example baptism and communion in the way we practice them may be more exclusive than inclusive.

In recent years congregations have been encouraged to come up with quick vision statements and medium to long tem strategies, but I think we need to sit for a while in case the vision statement or strategy is built on ways of being church and believing that not only those beyond the church cannot relate to but even those still within the life of the church cannot relate to.  

I really enjoy the congregation that I am currently committed to. It is the Bushland Chapel at Helensburgh, New South Wales http://bushlandchapel.net/. I enjoy Sunday gatherings there because what goes on enables me to reflect on stories of lived life and biblical stories and other stories. I think that ‘the church’ could become something different in the world and a means of transformation in society when instead of telling people what to believe and how to behave it creates space for people to reflect, to develop their own beliefs, to be creative and then to trust people to do what they want to do and the choices they make about living.  Somewhere in here I think is a way that those of us who are still connected with the church could engage more creatively and authentically with the 95%.

(photo: Church of Ireland, Crookhaven, Co. Cork, Ireland