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wings
Who really cares?
I just received the end-of-the-year report on the membership of the Holston Annual Conference. We now stand at a little more than 163,000 members. In 2001, we reported a little more than 172,000 members. We have been losing members on a steady basis for the last 30 years.
I realize there are variables that make it difficult to be a growing church. Shifting populations, a society that is skeptical about the church and our claims, the inability of some churches and pastors to give up the old days and old ways, the move from traditional worship to a more casual and energetic worship - all these are genuine factors that must be taken into consideration.
Yet, I am still struck by the fact that our conference and, in fact, the whole United Methodist Church and most Christian denominations are losing people at an alarming rate.
I am equally dismayed that no one has blown the trumpet to warn us that we are in danger of becoming extinct. There is no alarm, no one seems worried, and no one really seems to care. It reminds me of a Marvin Gaye recording from the early 1970s, "Save the Children." Marvin talks about "the world in despair" and asks, "Who really cares? Who's willing to try to save a world that's destined to die?" I guess, like Marvin, I want to ask the question around our dwindling membership and attendance: "Who really cares? Who's willing to try to save a world that's destined to die?" Who really cares about the Christ?
I would certainly hope that we in the Holston Conference would care enough to turn this world around.
Easter is just around the corner, and as we prepare, I hope that pastors and congregations will invite and intentionally welcome people to gather with us as we worship Jesus Christ. Over the next Sundays of Lent, let us recommit ourselves to reaching out and inviting others to "stand in the presence of Jesus of Nazareth." People whom we have forgotten, whom the world ignores, are knocking on the doors of our houses of worship. All they want is for someone to care about them as our lost sisters and brothers. What a great time to get serious about inviting others to our churches! Jesus is calling us away from our preoccupation with our buildings. He is giving us an opportunity to be concerned and in love with our neighbors.
The Holy Spirit wants to help us not only to turn the numbers around, but also to be in mission and ministry to all the world - until Christ comes back in final victory, and we feast at his heavenly banquet.
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Bishop James Swanson
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