Expect more!

So I just had to share how much I love the Practicing Congregation!

I remember in Middle School that my parents talked about the kids in Confirmation class. The church was struggling over the fact that many of the kids came just for Confirmation, went to church at one of the Non-Denominational churches, and then never came back to our church after they finished Confirmation. Part of the discussion was the baffling fact (to most) that these large and growing NonDenom churches had such high expectations/requirements of the people that attended! I also remember working at a church in college and wondering why we make people take a pledge when they join, but do nothing to really hold them to that standard after they are in the church.

The dominant idea for years was put forth in 1972 by Dean Kelly in his book: Why Conservative Churches Are Growing. The conclusion was that Religiously demanding (aka strict) churches grow. Diana Butler Bass counters: "Kelley equated 'conservative' with 'demanding,' or religion that had to be engaged with rigor and purpose...No one expected that old mainline churches would - or could- ever reject the low-demand, establishment ethos of the early twentieth century." The point is that churches that focuses on an intentional faith are growing!

I love it! The studies seem to indicate what I've been feeling all along. Why don't we expect more, instead of less, from our congregation? from our new members? We seem to cheapen God's grace when we fit it neatly into our existing lives. "While still being politely mainline about it, they nevertheless 'demanded' certain things from their members - not in terms of doctrinal assent, but in terms of stewardship, spiritual growth, ministry, mission, and practice." !!!!! This is exactly what we need to be calling people to! This is exactly what we are called to!

The Practicing Congregation

My first class of this semester at Wesley Theological Seminary was Leading Formation. The class has an exciting and very broad description: "An exploration of how an emphasis on Christian faith practices - including justice, forgiveness, prayer and hospitality - can swerve as organizing principle for congregational life and administration."

In our first reading from The Practicing Congregation: Imagining and New Old Church by Diana Butler Bass I learned a new way of understanding church. This author approaches mainline denominations in a positive way. I've only read the intro and first chapter, but the key concept that I learned was this:

Though the church had been in decline, a new form of church has begun and is rising out of the ashes of mainline decline. This new type of church the author calls Intentional Congregations. These congregations include the Practicing and Emerging church movements. The key difference between these churches and other late 20th century churches is a focus on practice as apposed to program.

I remember my husband, other young adults, and I trying at various times to describe to older adults what we believe young people are searching for from churches. We talked about seeking authenticity, genuine welcome and acceptance into the family, and a place for open and deep dialogue. The response was frequently confusion, a yearning to understand how to communicate those things, or defensiveness. As I read from The Practicing Congregation I felt that my eyes were opened. Earlier generations of churches had focused on programs. They sought to connect new people with a social network and programs that met their needs. These models have worked, and still work in many cases.

However, it is a new language to try to understand Intentional Congregations. It is not primarily about a new style, or a new program. Perhaps it is primarily about a deep commitment to conversation and support. Perhaps it is primarily about seeing church as a place that challenges and changes, instead of a place that meets needs and is an exciting experience.

I'm excited to learn more because I believe there are many people, and many generations including my own who seek a more creative, post modern, theologically expansive, and yes even a bit messy church experience. One that feels more authentic. One that stretches us, and yet fills a deep need in our soul. We are starting to awaken to the idea that the American Culture is not synonymous with Christianity. We recognize that our culture cannot meet the need for Christ within us.